| Popis: |
Efforts have been underway for several years at AMI to develop a ribbon stacking method to fabricate infrared imaging bundles from chalcogenide glass fibers. Bundles have been formed drawing fibers from an As-Se-Te glass (Cl) and from As2S3 glass (C2). Fiber core diameter has been limited to 100 ?m or greater due to the low tensile strength of chalcogenide glasses. Glass cladding adds strength to the fiber but results in low active area (25-35%) and coarse images. Use ofunclad fiber increases packing density ( active area 50-70%,) and improves infrared camera images. Recently, a new As-Se glass, designated C4, was developed at AMI, that can be drawn into flexible fibers with core diameters of 50-60 ?m. Bundles formed from stacked ribbons ofunclad fiber produce infrared camera images markedly improved over previous bundles. Imagery using C4 bundles made with small core unclad fibers and a Cl bundle made with glass clad 140 ?m core fibers, are compared. Images for both bundles made using a low sensitivity 3-5?m camera are compared to those made using a very sensitive 3-5 ?m radiometer camera. |
