Luminescent illumination adjunct for night vision

Abstract

A method, and a compound for facilitating it, that enhances night vision by dispersing a luminescent to provide low-intensity area illumination. Luminescents may include naturally occurring bioluminescents (visible spectrum) or man-made, preferably non-toxic, chemical-based luminescents (also termed chemiluminescents), the latter available for use in either the visible or IR spectrum. It may be applied locally to a surface or remotely by means of a delivery system. Preferably, select luminescents are dispersed as an aerosol to contact targeted surfaces. These luminescents may be used in spaces otherwise difficult to image with night vision equipment. Specifically provided is a method for viewing a target under low ambient light conditions comprising dispersing a luminescent material on surfaces in a dark space to provide a low-level, spatially broad, source of supplemental scene illumination, and viewing the target with image enhancing devices that are otherwise marginally useful without the presence of the luminescent material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.