Patent ID: 8153948

Claim:
A camera comprising: a pixelated optical transducer absorbing electromagnetic radiation in a first range of wavelengths; the electromagnetic radiation in the first range of wavelengths being received from an input source of electromagnetic radiation; another source of electromagnetic radiation in a second range of wavelengths; said pixelated optical transducer being also causing, when the electromagnetic radiation from said another source interacts with said pixelated optical transducer after absorption of a portion of electromagnetic radiation from the input source, a variation in phase of electromagnetic radiation in the second range of wavelengths emanating from the optical transducer; each pixel in said pixelated optical transducer being substantially thermally isolated from each other pixel in said pixelated optical transducer; said pixelated optical transducer receiving electromagnetic radiation in the first range of wavelengths at least one surface and of receiving electromagnetic radiation in the second range of wavelengths at least another surface; said pixelated optical transducer comprising at least one layer of material capable of absorbing the portion of electromagnetic radiation from the input source; said at least one layer of material being disposed on a support; said support being capable of allowing transmission of electromagnetic radiation in the second range of wavelengths; alteration in optical thickness of said at least one layer of material resulting from absorbing the portion of electromagnetic radiation from the input source; an image being obtained from alteration in optical thickness of said at least one layer of material, said alteration resulting from absorbing the portion of electromagnetic radiation from the input source; an optical system receiving electromagnetic radiation emanating from said another source, providing a portion of the received electromagnetic radiation emanating from said another source to said optical transducer, and receiving a portion of the electromagnetic radiation in the second range of wavelengths emanating from the optical transducer; and means for detecting electromagnetic radiation; said optical system also imaging an interference pattern onto said detecting means; the interference pattern being obtained from a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emanating from said another source and the portion of the electromagnetic radiation in the second range of wavelengths emanating from the optical transducer.