Cryogenic background infrared scene generation method based on a light-driven blackbody micro cavity array

Abstract We propose a cryogenic background infrared scene (CBIRS) generation method based on a light-driven blackbody micro cavity array (BMCA). The BMCA is a passive converter which is driven by visible light. It can transform visible light images into infrared (IR) images. The micro structure of the BMCA is fabricated using MEMS technology. A temperature rise of 223.5 K was observed on the surface of the BMCA when the input visible light power density was 833 W/m2 and the ambient temperature was 96.7 K. The radiation spectrum of the BMCA is close to the blackbody radiation spectrum, which covers both the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) of 3 ~ 5 μm and the longwave infrared (LWIR) of 8 ~ 12 μm. The transient temperature response of the BMCA was experimentally tested. The thermal rising time was 4.16 ms and the thermal falling time was 2.63 ms. The BMCA is efficient for generating dynamic IR scene. The refreshing frame rate of the IR scene can reach more than 100 Hz.