Selection of Detector Peak Wavelength for Optimum Infrared System Performance

Abstract The influence of detector peak wavelength on the performance of thermal imaging systems is analyzed. The radiation function, usually denoted by M ∗ , is used in the analysis since it contains the wavelength-dependent portion of the figures of merit for thermal imaging systems such as the noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) and the minimum resolvable temperature (MRT). Computer calculations of the radiation function are carried out using a modified LOWTRAN III atmospheric model for clear conditions and haze with path lengths from 0.2 to 30km in the 3–14 μm wavelength region.