Infrared wavelength imaging applications based on quantum well devices

An apparatus for detecting images in a first selected bandwidth, comprising:

• a probe light source configured to generate a probe beam in a second selected bandwidth;
• an optical path including input imaging optics operable to capture an image of an object in said first selected bandwidth and form an image beam and a beam combiner to optically combine said probe beam with said image beam to form a combined beam;
• an optical readout quantum well device in the optical path of said combined beam, said optical readout quantum well device simultaneously passing in an optical readout beam an intensity level of at least one wavelength within said probe beam in said second selected bandwidth in proportion to an intensity level of at least one wavelength within said image beam in said first selected bandwidth;
• and
• a detector in the optical path of said optical readout beam sensitive to light in said second selected bandwidth and not sensitive to light in said first selected bandwidth.