Thermal marking systems and methods of control

A target marking system, comprising:

• a light source configured to emit a beam of thermal radiation and to impinge the beam onto a target;
• a detector configured to collect radiation passing from the target to the detector, the radiation passing from the target in response to the beam impinging the target, the detector comprising at least one lens;
• and
• an optics assembly configured to narrow a field of view of the detector, thereby magnifying the radiation passing from the target to the detector, the system using the magnified radiation to form an image of the beam impinging the target.

A method of controlling a target marking system, comprising:

• directing a beam of thermal radiation to impinge upon a target;
• collecting radiation from the target, wherein the collected radiation passes from the target, along a path, in response to the beam impinging upon the target;
• magnifying the collected radiation at a location along the path;
• and
• using the magnified radiation to form an image of the beam impinging the target.