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Colour-changing magnifying glass gives clear view of infrared light

cam.ac.uk

21–30 of 55 posts

Re: Colour-changing magnifying glass gives clear view of infrared light

#21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not unimaginable, a similar coating is on the inside of fluorescent lighting tubes.

Not really, the coating on fluorescent tubes uses a quite different mechanism. The phosphor coating of fluorescent tubes downconverts UV light into visible wavelengths (is, lower energy/frequency) through the process of fluorescence. The UV photons excite the electrons of the phosphor molecules to higher energy states, after which they emit photons at lower frequencies/energies (visible light) as they fluoresce back…

There is no fundamental limitation that would prevent the conversion of multiple IR photons into a single photon of some kind of visible light.

The purpose here is to make the light visible, not to do a 100% efficient conversion.

Re: Colour-changing magnifying glass gives clear view of infrared light

#23
post #2

This will almost certainly be used for weapons in short order. Currently if you want thermal imaging or very low light capability you have to use very expensive substrates. Being able to use CMOS detectors for MWIR/LWIR would instantly increase available resolutions by an order of magnitude at any given price point, assuming these filters are actually relatively cheap.

I doubt it. It sounds like it has to be “charged” with visible light or something. That means it’s unlikely to be useful some time after sundown, or after being used. I don’t see a military springing for that because it would put constraints on the types of operations they can run unless it adds significant upsides (such as an increase in FOV or something). I do see it being more useful for civilians though, who don’…

I think you can just back(front?)light it.

Re: Colour-changing magnifying glass gives clear view of infrared light

#24
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I doubt it. It sounds like it has to be “charged” with visible light or something. That means it’s unlikely to be useful some time after sundown, or after being used. I don’t see a military springing for that because it would put constraints on the types of operations they can run unless it adds significant upsides (such as an increase in FOV or something). I do see it being more useful for civilians though, who don’…

I think you can just back(front?)light it.

Wouldn’t that defeat the purpose of everyone within 5 miles can see your glowing eyes?

Re: Colour-changing magnifying glass gives clear view of infrared light

#26
For additional context about the lead:

https://www.cei.washington.edu/education/science-of-solar/pe...

"while the best-performing perovskites are today made with a small amount of lead, researchers are also exploring alternative compositions and new encapsulation strategies, in order to mitigate concerns associated with lead toxicity."

Re: Colour-changing magnifying glass gives clear view of infrared light

#27
Why do scientists who seem to select gold as the ideal material for almost anything?

Is it actually a better material, or do scientists just want to be able to put in a purchase order for some gold and have shiny photos on all the media reports?

Yes, I know it has a low reactivity - but stainless steel is pretty good there too, as well as a bunch of other materials. It also has a high conductivity - but copper is pretty decent.

Re: Colour-changing magnifying glass gives clear view of infrared light

#28

Why do scientists who seem to select gold as the ideal material for almost anything? Is it actually a better material, or do scientists just want to be able to put in a purchase order for some gold and have shiny photos on all the media reports? Yes, I know it has a low reactivity - but stainless steel is pretty good there too, as well as a bunch of other materials. It also has a high conductivity - but copper is pre…

Stainless steel isn't an element, it's an alloy. You (probably?) can't plate stainless steel onto a surface.

Re: Colour-changing magnifying glass gives clear view of infrared light

#30
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you can just back(front?)light it.

Wouldn’t that defeat the purpose of everyone within 5 miles can see your glowing eyes?

Finally, night vision goggles that look like something out of the movies
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