Patent ID: 11933675
Assignee: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 18:
19. A method for sensing temperature changes on a microsecond scale, the method including:
using a multi-channel pyrometer having a first subplurality of channels configured to operate within a first wavelength range of 1000 nm to 1700 nm, and a second subplurality of channels configured to operate within a second wavelength range of 1200 nm to 2500 nm;
using the channels of the multi-channel pyrometer to receive thermal radiation;
using a plurality of interference filters each being uniquely associated with a specific one of the first or second subpluralities of channels, and each being tuned to pass only the thermal radiation within a specified wavelength range;
using a plurality of detectors each being uniquely associated with a specific one of the first or second subpluralities of channels, and each further being uniquely associated with a specific one of the plurality of interference filters, to detect the thermal radiation that passes through its associated said interference filter, at least one of the detectors configured to operate in the first wavelength range being a germanium-based detector, and at least one of the detectors configured to operate in the second wavelength range being an Indium Gallium Arsenide-based detector; and
further using each one of the plurality of interference filters to reflect thermal radiation which does not pass through it, to a subsequent downstream interference filter of a subsequent channel of the multi-channel pyrometer, with each said subsequent one of the interference filters being oriented to reflect the thermal radiation not passing therethrough to a next downstream one of the subsequent interference filters; and
converting signals from the detectors to temperature data.