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US 10,652,441 B1Granted
Systems and methods for protecting imaging devices against high-radiant-flux light
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorBrian J. Tillotson
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AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorBrian J. Tillotson
Estimating the term…
Systems and methods for preventing high-radiant-flux light, such as laser light or a nuclear flash, from causing harm to imaging devices, such as a camera or telescope. The optical components of the imaging device have first and second foci. The second focus forms an image on an array of photodetectors and occurs at a large f-number. The first focus occurs at a small f-number in a gas that is dense enough to dissipate most of a femtosecond laser pulse of potentially damaging intensity and conditioned to easily undergo dielectric breakdown when exposed to high-radiant-flux light that is less intense than a femtosecond laser pulse. Dielectric breakdown forms a conductive arc that dissipates or scatters light, blocking high-radiant-flux light from reaching the array of photodetectors. Several methods may be used for conditioning the gas to break down quickly when exposed to laser attack.
An imaging device comprising:
An imaging device comprising:
A method for preventing high-radiant-flux light from damaging an image sensor, the method comprising:
A method for preventing high-radiant-flux light from damaging an image sensor, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.