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Transcript of Nightvisionoptics
Night Vision Optics
Presented By:
Alexis Carr, Matt Parunak, & Rekita Moody
Optical EngineeringDr. Kasra Daneshvar
July 12, 2002
Night Vision Optics
Abstract
In this study we will
attempt to disclose the
major aspects of night
vision technology and how
it has evolved over the
past forty years. Night
vision is simply having the
ability to see in the dark.
In many night vision
systems, the objective lens
collects small particles of
light called photons and
focuses them on an image
intensifier. Within the
image intensifier lies a
photocathode which
absorbs light energy and
converts it into electrons.
When the highly
intensified electron image
strikes the phosphor
screen, it causes the
screen to emit light which
can be seen with the
human eye. This process
allows one to see a
reflected image that
directly corresponds with
the outside image they are
viewing. Night vision
technology is considered
preeminent and is used
throughout the world in
various areas of life (“How
Night Vision Works”)
Image courtesy of Infrared, Inc.It is quite easy to see everything
during the day...
Image courtesy of Infrared, Inc.but at night, you can see
very little.
Image courtesy of Infrared, Inc.Night vision devices allow you to see again.
Introduction
Have you ever got up in the middle of the night and stumbled over an object in
the middle of the floor? Blinded by the darkness, you rush to the nearest light switch to
get an illuminated view of the area. Well, stumble no more; through advancement in
technology, special equipment has been produced to enable one to see through the
darkness. We call these highly esteemed devices, night vision optics. Originally
developed and used by the U.S. military to locate enemy targets at night; night vision
optics or devices, better referred to as NVDs, have revolutionized the history of human
vision.
Background
Night vision optics and devices have been around for over forty years. They were
first developed during World War II; as the United States, Great Britain, and Germany
aimed to produce basic night vision technology. This newfound technology would
enable these superpowers to maneuver their troops effectively through the night. Night
vision can trace its roots back to the development of the Research and Photometric
Section of the Corps of Engineering Research and Development Laboratory, which was
founded in February 1954. This organization is responsible for the progression of night
vision equipment for individual soldiers in the field. The basic objective began as “the
Conquest of Darkness so that the individual can observe, move, fight, and work at night
by using an image that can interpret without specialist training and to which he could
immediately respond”(“Night Vision”).
The following is a timeline, disclosing the evolution of night vision optics:
1951- Sniper scope1954- Metascope1955- First NIR Mapper1958- First IR Line Scanner1964- Starlight Scope1965- TVS-4 Night Observation Device1967- Pulse Gated I2-TVS-2 Crew Served Weapon Night Sight1969- First Laser Rangefinder (Ruby)1971- Handheld Thermal Viewer1971- FLIR Production 1971- PRS-7 Handheld Non-metallic Mine Detector1975- PVS-3 Miniscope1975- Night Vision thermal Model Publication1976- Common Module FLIR production1977- PVS- 5 night vision Goggles1981- VGS-2 Tank Thermal Sight1982- TAS-6 night Observation Device, Cong Range1984- AVS 6 ANVIS Goggles, Third Generation I21986- GVS- 5 Laser Rangefinder1987-PVS-7 Night Vision Goggles1988- AAS- 32 Airborne Laser Trader(“Night Vision”)
Understanding Night Vision
To fully comprehend night vision, it is imperative that one understands something
about light. The sum of energy in a light wave is related to its wavelength; the shorter the
wavelength the higher energy level they encompass. Of visible light, violet has the most
energy, and red has the least amount of energy. Next to the visible light spectrum lies the
infrared spectrum which is composed of light, that is invisible to the naked eye.
Infrared light is a small part of the light spectrum.
Infrared light can be separated into three categories:
Near- infrared (near- IR) - Closet to visible light, near-IR has wavelengths that range from 0.7 to 1.3 microns.
Mid –Infrared (mid- IR) - Mid - IR has wavelengths ranging from 1.3 to 3 microns.
Thermal – Infrared (thermal- IR)-Occupying the largest part of the infrared spectrum, thermal-IR has wavelengths ranging from 3 microns to over 30 microns.
Generations
There have been many adjustments and improvements made to night vision
devices. These advancements in night vision devices are categorized by generation.
Each major change in night vision technology institutes a new generation. The
generations are numbered from zero to three and progress from the original active
infrared devices to the latest and greatest passive infrared devices with better resolution
and sensitivity.
Generation 0: The original night vision system was created by the United States
Army and used in World War II and the Korean War. The first night vision devices,
(NVDs), used active infrared. The problem with these devices was that the pattern was
easy to duplicate and was easily imitated by hostile nations, thus allowing enemy soldiers
to use the NVDs to see the beams projected by U.S. devices.
Generation 1: The next generation of NVDs moved away from active infrared,
and used passive infrared in its place. Also referred to as Starlight by the U.S. Army,
these NVDs use ambient light provided by the moon and stars to augment the normal
amounts of reflected infrared in the environment. Although these NVDs were much
better than the ones existing in generation zero, they used a weak image intensifier which
resulted in image distortion.
Generation 2: Major improvements in image- intensifier tubes offered improved
resolution and performance over generation one devices and were considerably more
reliable. The biggest gain in generation two was the ability to see in extremely low light
conditions, for instance moonless nights.
Generation 3: The latest and greatest night vision technology currently exists in
generation three. Although there are no major changes in the technology from generation
two, the generation three devices have even better resolution and sensitivity. These night
vision devices are considered state of the art. They are well protected and cannot be
exported from the United States without proper permission from the United States
Department of State. The recipient(s) must also provide details concerning themselves
and the purpose the devices will serve (Tyson, 1998-2002).
Conclusion
Photo courtesy of B.E. Meyers CompanyThis soldier is using DARK INVADER night-vision goggles.
Night vision devices and optics are used for many purposes. The military
continues to use them to locate enemy targets as well as for navigation and surveillance.
However, the usage of these devices has extended beyond the boundaries of the military.
Police and security often use night vision optics for surveillance and in solving cases.
Hunters and nature enthusiasts use the optics to maneuver through the woods at night.
Detectives and private investigators use night vision to watch people they are assigned to
track. Even some businesses have permanently-mounted cameras equipped with night
vision to monitor the surroundings. As people discover the unique ability of these high
performance devices, night vision optics will continue to modernize the way we see.
REFERENCES
“How Night Vision Works”. Retrieved June 25, 2002, from<http://www.night-
vision-gear.com>
“Night Vision”. Retrieved July 1, 2002, from www.nvl.army.mil/home.html
Tyson, Jeff. (1998-2002). Retrieved June 26, 2002, from
www.howstuffworks.com/nightvision.htm