MULTICAM: a miniature cryogenic camera for infrared detection

Abstract

There is an emerging demand for compact infrared instruments, imagers and/or spectrometers, integrated on ground or air vehicles for spatial and spectral data collection. To reach this goal, technological barriers have already been overcome, leading to the development of infrared focal plane arrays (IRFPAs) for high-performance applications (megapixel format, bispectral technology) but also for low-cost and high-volume manufacturing (technology of uncooled micro-bolometers). The next step is to reduce the optics and make it compatible with the successful IRFPAs fabrication technology. This paper presents MULTICAM, a small cryogenic infrared camera. This optical system is composed of multi-level arrays of microlenses integrated in the cryostat and inspired from invertebrate compound eyes. First experimental results will be presented.