High resolution lenses for machine vision — standard and custom lens design
Night Vision
High Resolution Lenses for machine vision, instrumentation, inspection and vibration-sensitive applications. Standard and custom hi-res lens assemblies.
Night Vision
Often when we think of night vision the first think that comes to mind is a spy or actions movie. It’s so cool when a character whips out a pair of night vision goggles and instantly they can see in the dead of night as if it were a sunny day. Night vision is such an amazing technology that has greatly assisted out armed forces for years, but how exactly does night vision work? It seems like something out of a science fiction movie but night vision exists and is used every day.
So how exactly does it work? Can you actually see in the dark? The answer is most definitely yes. With the proper equipment night vision makes it possible to see another person from over 200 yards away on a moonless cloudy night. There are actually two different technologies that can be used to achieve night vision. One is image enhancement and the other is thermal imaging. The two technologies work differently to ultimately achieve the same goal.
Image enhancement works by collecting the tiny amounts of light, including the lower portion of the infrared light spectrum, that are present but may be imperceptible to our eyes, and amplifying it to the point that we can easily observe the image. This method is made possible by the use of a special objective lens that captures ambient light and some near infrared light to detect images not visible to the human eye.
Thermal imaging operates by capturing the upper portion of the infrared light spectrum, which is emitted as heat by objects instead of simply reflected as light. Hotter objects, such as warm bodies, emit more of this light than cooler objects like trees or buildings. This technology is often utilized in the military and gives a greenish tint you’ve probably seen on movies and TV shows. This technology is made possible by the use of another special lens that focuses on all of the infrared light emitted by object in view.
Night vision is a truly revolutionary technology that allows us to actually see in the dark. The special lenses utilized in this type of technology can be found at Universe Optics, a leading manufacturer in lens designs and optical lenses for industrial, medical, high-tech, and electronic applications. Find any lens you need for the job at Universe Optics online or at our New York facility today!