An uncooled solid state thermal imager

A compact low power imager based on a two dimensional uncooled detector array has been demonstrated. This has involved the development of new signal processing techniques involving a hybrid analogue and digital approach to achieve low power consumption. The detector used is an 8-14 μm, 100×100 element array using PbZrO₃ pyroelectric ceramics. The design of the imager is particularly suitable for immediate application in a wide variety of roles. Further miniaturisation will enable relatively high resolution to be obtained in applications hitherto unsuited to thermal analysis due to logistical, cost or other reasons