SBIR Phase I: A Bolometric Imager for Solar Irradiance Studies

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目的主要目标是开发一种太阳望远镜和探测器，能够对太阳光球层的热流不均匀性进行成像，在紫外线和红外线之间的所有波长上具有均匀的光度响应。 这样的太阳辐射热成像仪（SBI）将提供一个创新的新工具，以确定长期的太阳光度变化的机制。 这些变化在气候波动研究中具有很大的意义，而气候波动是全球变化研究中的一个重要问题。创新的机会来自于非制冷、相对高清晰度（80，000个元件）热阵列的最新进展。第一阶段的主要目的是确定这些阵列的光谱吸收率是否可以通过仔细沉积金黑来修改，以在0.33（和大约2（包含到达地球表面的大部分太阳辐射）之间的波长范围内提供均匀的响应。 如果能够在保持阵列的探测率和时间常数的同时实现这一点，将在第一阶段设计一个全反射望远镜，以完成SBI的设计。 履行机构将在第二阶段建造和运行一年，在即将到来的第23个太阳黑子周期太阳活动增加期间。 一个成功的地基SBI将构成空间SBI的基础，作为用于测量总辐照度波动的绝对辐射计的成像补充。 具有较高角度清晰度的热辐射成像的商业应用包括遥感和工业计量（热成像照相机的校准、照明设计、燃烧研究和监测）。 在近红外中具有良好响应的高清晰度非制冷阵列还可以为方便且廉价的假彩色光谱成像相机提供焦平面，该相机在生物医学成像、过程控制和无损检测中具有许多利基应用。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project has as its main objective the development of a solar telescope and detector capable of imaging heat flow inhomogeneities at the sun's photosphere, with uniform photometric response over all wavelengths between the ultraviolet and infrared. Such a Solar Bolometric Imager (SBI) would provide an innovative new tool for identifying mechanisms of long-term solar luminosity variation. These variations are of great interest in studies of climate fluctuation, an issue of central importance in Global Change studies. The opportunity for innovation arises from recent advances in uncooled, relatively high-definition (80,000 element) thermal arrays. The main aim in Phase I is to determine whether the spectral absorptance of these arrays can be modified by careful deposition of gold blacks, to provide uniform response over the wavelength range between 0.33( and about 2( containing most of the solar radiation that reaches the Earth's surface. If this can be achieved while retaining the detectivity and time constant of the array, an all-reflecting telescope to complete the design of the SBI will be designed in Phase I. The SBI will be constructed and operated for one year in Phase II, during the period of increasing solar activity in the forthcoming sunspot cycle 23. A successful ground-based SBI would form the basis for a space-borne SBI as an imaging complement to absolute radiometers used for measuring fluctuations in the total irradiance. Commercial applications of bolometric imaging with relatively high angular definition include remote sensing and industrial metrology (calibration of thermographic cameras, lighting design, combustion research and monitoring). A high definition, uncooled array with good response in the near-IR could also provide the focal plane for a convenient and inexpensive false color spectral imaging camera with many niche applications in biomedical imaging, process control and non-destructive testing.