Albion camera: a high-performance infrared imaging system

The Albion programme aims to develop high pixel count third generation infrared modules for medium, long and dual band infrared imager systems. The medium wave Albion detector having 1024x768 pixels on a 26μm pitch is the largest detector of its type in Europe. With a typical NETD of 12mK and capable of 50Hz frame rate output, this high performance detector has been encapsulated and combined with a high reliability cryogenic cooler to form a core module. To illustrate the high performance of the detector and to demonstrate the use of the core module a complete thermal imaging camera has been built. Although designed as an experimental system this camera, being only 300x420x180mm in size shows the relatively small step required to take the system to a fully productionised state. This paper describes the detector technology and other subsystems (e.g. optics, electronics and uniformity correction) which have been integrated into a high performance thermal imaging system.