Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Presented By:
Optical Engineering
Dr. Kasra Daneshvar
July 12, 2002
Night Vision Optics
Abstract
In this study we will attempt to disclose the major aspects of night vision
technology and how it has evolved over the past forty years. Night vision is simply
having the ability to see in the dark. In many night vision systems, the objective lens
collects small particles of light called photons and focuses them on an image intensifier.
Within the image intensifier lies a photocathode which absorbs light energy and converts
it into electrons. When the highly intensified electron image strikes the phosphor screen,
it causes the screen to emit light which can be seen with the human eye. This process
allows one to see a reflected image that directly corresponds with the outside image they
are viewing. Night vision technology is considered preeminent and is used throughout
Have you ever got up in the middle of the night and stumbled over an object in
the middle of the floor? Blinded by the darkness, you rush to the nearest light switch to
get an illuminated view of the area. Well, stumble no more; through advancement in
technology, special equipment has been produced to enable one to see through the
darkness. We call these highly esteemed devices, night vision optics. Originally
developed and used by the U.S. military to locate enemy targets at night; night vision
optics or devices, better referred to as NVDs, have revolutionized the history of human
vision.
Background
Night vision optics and devices have been around for over forty years. They were
first developed during World War II; as the United States, Great Britain, and Germany
aimed to produce basic night vision technology. This newfound technology would
enable these superpowers to maneuver their troops effectively through the night. Night
vision can trace its roots back to the development of the Research and Photometric
Section of the Corps of Engineering Research and Development Laboratory, which was
founded in February 1954. This organization is responsible for the progression of night
vision equipment for individual soldiers in the field. The basic objective began as “the
Conquest of Darkness so that the individual can observe, move, fight, and work at night
by using an image that can interpret without specialist training and to which he could
about light. The sum of energy in a light wave is related to its wavelength; the shorter the
wavelength the higher energy level they encompass. Of visible light, violet has the most
energy, and red has the least amount of energy. Next to the visible light spectrum lies the
infrared spectrum which is composed of light, that is invisible to the naked eye.
Infrared light is a small part of the light spectrum.
Generations
There have been many adjustments and improvements made to night vision
Each major change in night vision technology institutes a new generation. The
generations are numbered from zero to three and progress from the original active
infrared devices to the latest and greatest passive infrared devices with better resolution
and sensitivity.
Generation 0: The original night vision system was created by the United States
Army and used in World War II and the Korean War. The first night vision devices,
(NVDs), used active infrared. The problem with these devices was that the pattern was
easy to duplicate and was easily imitated by hostile nations, thus allowing enemy soldiers
and used passive infrared in its place. Also referred to as Starlight by the U.S. Army,
these NVDs use ambient light provided by the moon and stars to augment the normal
amounts of reflected infrared in the environment. Although these NVDs were much
better than the ones existing in generation zero, they used a weak image intensifier which
resolution and performance over generation one devices and were considerably more
reliable. The biggest gain in generation two was the ability to see in extremely low light
Generation 3: The latest and greatest night vision technology currently exists in
generation three. Although there are no major changes in the technology from generation
two, the generation three devices have even better resolution and sensitivity. These night
vision devices are considered state of the art. They are well protected and cannot be
exported from the United States without proper permission from the United States
Department of State. The recipient(s) must also provide details concerning themselves
Night vision devices and optics are used for many purposes. The military
continues to use them to locate enemy targets as well as for navigation and surveillance.
However, the usage of these devices has extended beyond the boundaries of the military.
Police and security often use night vision optics for surveillance and in solving cases.
Hunters and nature enthusiasts use the optics to maneuver through the woods at night.
Detectives and private investigators use night vision to watch people they are assigned to
track. Even some businesses have permanently-mounted cameras equipped with night
vision to monitor the surroundings. As people discover the unique ability of these high
performance devices, night vision optics will continue to modernize the way we see.
REFERENCES
vision-gear.com>
www.howstuffworks.com/nightvision.htm