Magneto-optical input system for infrared detectors

A detector interface system for communicating signals between an infrared detector element maintained in a comparatively lower temperature environment and associated signal processing circuitry maintained in a comparatively higher temperature environment, the infrared detector element having an electrical output thereof, the detector interface system comprising:

• a) an optical modulator disposed in the comparatively lower temperature environment in electrical communication with the infrared detector element for converting the electrical output of the infrared detector element into an optical output signal representative thereof;
• b) an optical demodulator disposed in the comparatively higher temperature environment for converting the optical output signal of the optical modulator into an electrical signal representative thereof, said optical demodulator being in electrical communication with the signal processing circuitry;
• and
• c) an optical path from said optical modulator to said optical demodulator for facilitating optical communication therebetween;
• d) wherein said optical path provides thermal isolation between the infrared detector element and signal processing circuitry and direct connection of the infrared detector element to the optical modulator mitigates 1/f noise.

A method for communicating signals between an infrared detector element maintained in a comparatively lower temperature environment and associated signal processing circuitry maintained in a comparatively higher temperature environment, the infrared detector element having an electrical output, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) converting the electrical output of the infrared detector element into an optical output signal representative thereof via a magneto-optical modulator, said converting being performed within the comparatively lower temperature environment;
• b) transmitting the optical output signal from the comparatively lower temperature environment to the comparatively higher temperature environment;
• and
• c) converting the optical output signal into an electrical signal representative thereof, said converting being performed within the comparatively higher temperature environment.

A method for facilitating the maintenance of a desired low temperature of an infrared detector element, the infrared detector element having an output, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) electrically communicating the output of the infrared detector element directly from the infrared detector element to a magneto-optical modulator;
• b) modulating the output of the magneto-optical modulator to provide an optical output representative of the electrical output of the infrared detector element;
• and
• c) communicating the optical output of the magneto-optical modulator to signal processing circuitry disposed remotely from the infrared detector element;
• d) wherein electrically communicating the output of the infrared detector element directly from the infrared detector element to the magneto-optical modulator minimizes heat generation proximate the infrared detector element.