The Basics

The first thing you probably think of when you see the
words night vision is a spy or action movie you've seen, in which
someone straps on a pair of night-vision goggles to find someone
else in a dark building on a moonless night. And you may have
wondered "Do those things really work? Can you actually see in
the dark?"

In order to understand night vision, it is important to

understand something about light. The amount of energy in a light

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wave is related to its wavelength: Shorter wavelengths have higher
energy. Of visible light, violet has the most energy, and red has the
least. Just next to the visible light spectrum is the infrared
spectrum

Infrared light can be split into three categories:

• Near-infrared (near-IR) - Closest to visible light, near-IR

has wavelengths that range from 0.7 to 1.3 microns, or 700
billionths to 1,300 billionths of a meter.

• Mid-infrared (mid-IR) - Mid-IR has wavelengths ranging

from 1.3 to 3 microns. Both near-IR and mid-IR are used by
a variety of electronic devices, including remote controls.

• Thermal-infrared (thermal-IR) - Occupying the largest part

of the infrared spectrum, thermal-IR has wavelengths ranging
from 3 microns to over 30 microns.

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 The key difference between thermal-IR and the other two is
that thermal-IR is emitted by an object instead of reflected off it.
Infrared light is emitted by an object because of what is happening
at the atomic level.

Infrared light is a small part of the Light spectrum

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 Atoms
Atoms are constantly in motion. They continuously vibrate,
move and rotate. Even the atoms that make up the chairs that we sit
in are moving around. Solids are actually in

motion! Atoms can be in different states of excitation. In other

words, they can have different energies. If we apply a lot of energy
to an atom, it can leave what is called the ground-state energy
level and move to an excited level. The level of excitation depends
on the amount of energy applied to the atom via heat, light or
electricity.

An atom consists of a nucleus (containing the protons and

neutrons) and an electron cloud. Think of the electrons in this
cloud as circling the nucleus in many different orbits. Although
more modern views of the atom do not depict discrete orbits for the
electrons, it can be useful to think of these orbits as the different
energy levels of the atom. In other words, if we apply some heat to
an atom, we might expect that some of the electrons in the lower
energy orbitals would transition to higher energy orbitals, moving
farther from the nucleus.

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 Once an electron moves to a higher-energy orbit, it
eventually wants to return to the ground state. When it does, it
releases its energy as a photon -- a particle of light. You see atoms
releasing energy as photons all the time. For example, when the
heating element in a toaster turns bright red, the red color is caused
by atoms excited by heat, releasing red photons. An excited
electron has more energy than a relaxed electron, and just as the
electron absorbed some amount of energy to reach this excited
level, it can release this energy to return to the ground state. This
emitted energy is in the form of photons (light energy). The photon
emitted has a very specific wavelength (color) that depends on the
state of the electron's energy when the photon is released.

An atom has a nucleus and an electron cloud

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 Anything that is alive uses energy, and so do many inanimate
items such as engines and rockets. Energy consumption generates
heat. In turn, heat causes the atoms in an object to fire off photons
in the thermal-infrared spectrum. The hotter the object, the shorter
the wavelength of the infrared photon it releases. An object that is
very hot will even begin to emit photons in the visible spectrum,
glowing red and then moving up through orange, yellow, blue and
eventually white. Be sure to read How Light Bulbs Work, How
Lasers Work and How Light Works for more detailed information
on light and photon emission.

In night vision, thermal imaging takes advantage of this infrared

emission. In the next section, we'll see just how it does this.

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Generations
NVDs have been around for more than 40 years. They are
categorized by generation. Each substantial change in NVD
technology establishes a new generation.

• Generation 0 - The original night-vision system created by

the United States Army and used in World War II and the
Korean War, these NVDs use active infrared. This means
that a projection unit, called an IR Illuminator, is attached to
the NVD. The unit projects a beam of near-infrared light,
similar to the beam of a normal flashlight. Invisible to the
naked eye, this beam reflects off objects and bounces back to
the lens of the NVD. These systems use an anode in
conjunction with the cathode to accelerate the electrons. The
problem with that approach is that the acceleration of the
electrons distorts the image and greatly decreases the life of
the tube. Another major problem with this technology in its
original military use was that it was quickly duplicated by
hostile nations, which allowed enemy soldiers to use their
own NVDs to see the infrared beam projected by the device.

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• Generation 1 - The next generation of NVDs moved away
from active infrared, using passive infrared instead. Once
dubbed Starlight by the U.S. Army, these NVDs use ambient
light provided by the moon and stars to augment the normal
amounts of reflected infrared in the environment. This means
that they did not require a source of projected infrared light.
This also means that they do not work very well on cloudy or
moonless nights. Generation-1 NVDs use the same image-
intensifier tube technology as Generation 0, with both
cathode and anode, so image distortion and short tube life are
still a problem.

• Generation 2 - Major improvements in image-intensifier

tubes resulted in Generation-2 NVDs. They offer improved
resolution and performance over Generation-1 devices, and
are considerably more reliable. The biggest gain in
Generation 2 is the ability to see in extremely low light
conditions, such as a moonless night. This increased
sensitivity is due to the addition of the microchannel plate to
the image-intensifier tube. Since the MCP actually increases
the number of electrons instead of just accelerating the
original ones, the images are significantly less distorted and
brighter than earlier-generation NVDs.

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• Generation 3 - Generation 3 is currently used by the U.S.
military. While there are no substantial changes in the
underlying technology from Generation 2, these NVDs have
even better resolution and sensitivity. This is because the
photo cathode is made using gallium arsenide, which is very
efficient at converting photons to electrons. Additionally, the
MCP is coated with an ion barrier, which dramatically
increases the life of the tube.

• Generation 4 - What is generally known as Generation 4 or

"filmless and gated" technology shows significant overall
improvement in both low- and high-level light environments.

The removal of the ion barrier from the MCP that was added
in Generation 3 technology reduces the background noise and
thereby enhances the signal to noise ratio. Removing the ion
film actually allows more electrons to reach the amplification
stage so that the images are significantly less distorted and
brighter.

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 The addition of an automatic gated power supply system
allows the photocathode voltage to switch on and off rapidly,
thereby enabling the NVD to respond to a fluctuation in
lighting conditions in an instant. This capability is a critical
advance in NVD systems, in that it allows the NVD user to
quickly move from high-light to low-light (or from low-light
to high-light) environments without any halting effects. For
example, consider the ubiquitous movie scene where an agent
using night vision goggles is “sightless” when someone turns
on a light nearby. With the new, gated power feature, the
change in lighting wouldn’t have the same impact; the
improved NVD would respond immediately to the lighting
change.

Many of the so-called "bargain" night-vision scopes use

Generation-0 or Generation-1 technology, and may be
disappointing if you expect the sensitivity of the devices used by
professionals. Generation-2, Generation-3 and Generation 4 NVDs
are typically expensive to purchase, but they will last if properly
cared for. Also, any NVD can benefit from the use of an IR
Illuminator in very dark areas where there is almost no ambient

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light to collect.

A cool thing to note is that every single image-intensifier

tube is put through rigorous tests to see if it meets the requirements
set forth by the military. Tubes that do are classified as
MILSPEC. Tubes that fail to meet military requirements in even a
single category are classified as COMSPEC.

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 HOW NIGHT VISION WORKS
HOW STARLIGHT TECHNOLOGY WORKS

Night vision devices gather existing ambient light

(starlight, moonlight or infra-red light) through the front lens. This
light, which is made up of photons goes into a photocathode tube
that changes the photons to electrons. The electrons are then
amplified to a much greater number through an electrical and
chemical process. The electrons are then hurled against a
phosphorus screen that changes the amplified electrons back into
visible light that you see through the eyepiece. The image will now
be a clear green-hued amplified re-creation of the scene you were
observing

1. Front Lens

2. Photocathode

3. Micro channel plate

4. High Voltage Power Supply

5. Phosphorus Screen

6. Eyepiece

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 XD-4 Image Intensifiers

The XD-4 is the top grade of the DEP Image Intensifiers. With
the introduction of the XD-4 technology a new European Standard
for low light imaging was born providing unprecedented
performance in Night Vision applications.

The XD-4 Image Intensifiers perform extremely well in all

environmental conditions. Its wide spectral sensitivity range
ensures that a perfect picture is obtained regardless of the user's
environment (foliage, on water, snow, desert, rocky and barren
land) or light conditions (down to heavily overcast starlight).
The XD-4 Image Intensifiers provide as well a superb image under

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very dynamic light conditions.

The basis for the unique performance of the XD-4 is the

technology used by DEP. This has resulted in greatly improved
performance parameters that are crucial for good observation, such
as the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), the Modulation Transfer
Function (MTF) and Resolution under all circumstances. Add to
this the very long lifetime throughout its complete luminance
dynamic range and you will be convinced of its unique
performance.

The performance parameters of the XD-4 Image Intensifier

are listed in the table below. Highlights of the XD-4 specification
are the typical SNR of 24, the resolution of 64 lp/mm and over and
- very important - the high MTF at low and intermediate spatial
frequencies. The latter gives the image its sharpness and contrast.

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 It goes without saying that the XD-4 tubes can be supplied in
every common mechanical construction including inverting and
non-inverting fibre-optic output, which also means that users have
the opportunity to upgrade the performance of existing Night
Vision Equipment via a drop-in XD-4 Image Intensifier.

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Technical specifications of XD-4 technology image intensifiers

Minima Maxima
Resolution Typical UNIT
l l
Limiting resolution
Type I 55 58 lp/mm
Type II 60 64 lp/mm
Modulation Transfer Function:
2.5 lp/mm 92 %
7.5 lp/mm 80 %
15 lp/mm 58 %
25 lp/mm 38 %
30 lp/mm 30 %

Minima Maxima
Signal to Noise Typical UNIT
l l
Signal to noise (@108µlx) 20 24

Minima Maxima
Other Technical Data Typical UNIT
l l
Phosphor: P20*
MTTF (to S/N=12) 15.000 hrs
30.000/ 50.000/ cd/m2/l
Gain at 2.10-5 lx
? ? x
Max. Output Brightness 2 17 cd/m2/l

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 x
E.B.I. 0.15 0.25 µlx
Output uniformity at 2850K 2:01 3:01
Weight(18mm) 80 95 grams
Shock 500 g
Luminous sensitivity at 2850K 600 700 µA/lm
Radiant sensitivity at 800nm 50 60 mA/W

INFRA-RED ILLUMINATORS

All Starlight scopes need some light to amplify. This means

that if you were in complete darkness you could not see. Due to
this we have a built in infra-red illuminator (IRI) on all of our
scopes. Basically what an IRI does is throw out a beam of infra-red

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light that is near invisible to the naked eye but your NVD can see
it. This allows you to use your scope even in total darkness. The
IRI works like a flashlight and the distance you can see with it will
be limited. We do use the most powerful eye-safe illuminator on
the market. This allows our IRI to extend out to 100 yards
However, because of the power at a short distance the IRI may
cover only 40-60% of the viewing area.

Thermal Imaging

Here's how thermal imaging works:

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 A special lens focuses the infrared light emitted by all of the
objects in view.

The focused light is scanned by a phased array of infrared-

detector elements. The detector elements create a very
detailed temperature pattern called a thermogram. It only
takes about one-thirtieth of a second for the detector array to
obtain the temperature information to make the thermogram.
This information is obtained from several thousand points in
the field of view of the detector array.

The thermogram created by the detector elements is translated

into electric impulses.

The impulses are sent to a signal-processing unit, a circuit board

with a dedicated chip that translates the information from the
elements into data for the display.

The signal-processing unit sends the information to the display,

where it appears as various colors depending on the intensity of the
infrared emission. The combination of all the impulses from all of
the elements creates the image.

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 The basic components of a thermal-imaging system

Types of Thermal Imaging Devices

Most thermal-imaging devices scan at a rate of 30 times per

second. They can sense temperatures ranging from -4 degrees
Fahrenheit (-20 degrees Celsius) to 3,600 F (2,000 C), and can
normally detect changes in temperature of about 0.4 F (0.2 C).

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There are two common types of thermal-imaging devices:

• Un-cooled - This is the most common type of thermal-

imaging device. The infrared-detector elements are contained
in a unit that operates at room temperature. This type of
system is completely quiet, activates immediately and has the
battery built right in.

• Cryogenically cooled - More expensive and more

susceptible to damage from rugged use, these systems have
the elements sealed inside a container that cools them to
below 32 F (zero C). The advantage of such a system is the
incredible resolution and sensitivity that result from cooling
the elements. Cryogenically-cooled systems can "see" a
difference as small as 0.2 F (0.1 C) from more than 1,000 ft
(300 m) away, which is enough to tell if a person is holding a
gun at that distance!

While thermal imaging is great for detecting people or working in

near-absolute darkness, most night-vision equipment uses image-
enhancement technology, which you will learn about in the next
section.

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It is quite easy to see everything during the day... ...but at night, you can
see very little

Thermal imaging lets you see again

Image Enhancement

Image-enhancement technology is what most people think of when

you talk about night vision. In fact, image-enhancement systems
are normally called night-vision devices (NVDs). NVDs rely on a
special tube, called an image-intensifier tube, to collect and
amplify infrared and visible light.

Here's how image enhancement works:

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 A conventional lens, called the objective lens, captures ambient
light and some near-infrared light.

The gathered light is sent to the image-intensifier tube. In most

NVDs, the power supply for the image-intensifier tube
receives power from two N-Cell or two "AA" batteries. The
tube outputs a high voltage, about 5,000 volts, to the image-
tube components.

The image-intensifier tube has a photocathode, which is used

to convert the photons of light energy into electrons.

As the electrons pass through the tube, similar electrons are

released from atoms in the tube, multiplying the original
number of electrons by a factor of thousands through the use
of a microchannel plate (MCP) in the tube. An MCP is a
tiny, glass disc that has millions of microscopic holes
(microchannels) in it, made using fiber-optic technology. The
MCP is contained in a vacuum and has metal electrodes on
either side of the disc. Each channel is about 45 times longer
than it is wide, and it works as an electron multiplier.

When the electrons from the photo cathode hit the first electrode of
the MCP, they are accelerated into the glass microchannels by the
5,000-V bursts being sent between the electrode pair. As electrons
pass through the microchannels, they cause thousands of other
electrons to be released in each channel using a process called

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cascaded secondary emission. Basically, the original electrons
collide with the side of the channel, exciting atoms and causing
other electrons to be released. These new electrons also collide
with other atoms, creating a chain reaction that results in thousands
of electrons leaving the channel where only a few entered. An
interesting fact is that the microchannels in the MCP are created at
a slight angle (about a 5-degree to 8-degree bias) to encourage
electron collisions and reduce both ion and direct-light feedback
from the phosphors on the output side.

The image-intensifier tube changes photons to electrons and back

again.

At the end of the image-intensifier tube, the electrons hit a

screen coated with phosphors. These electrons maintain their
position in relation to the channel they passed through, which

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 provides a perfect image since the electrons stay in the same
alignment as the original photons. The energy of the
electrons causes the phosphors to reach an excited state and
release photons. These phosphors create the green image on
the screen that has come to characterize night vision.

The green phosphor image is viewed through another lens, called

the ocular lens, which allows you to magnify and focus the image.
The NVD may be connected to an electronic display, such as a
monitor, or the image may be viewed directly through the ocular
lens.

HOW FAR CAN YOU SEE

There are many different variables that can effect the distance

that you can see with a Night Vision device. First, what are you

trying to see? Are you looking for another boat on the water or are

you looking for a rabbit in the woods? The larger the object the

easier it is too see. Plus, are you trying to see details (what we call

recognition range) or are you just trying to see if something is there

or maybe you will just see movement but won't be able to 100%

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determine who or what it is. This is called detection range. Second.

Another variable is lighting conditions. The more ambient light

you have (starlight, moonlight, infrared light) the better and further

you will be able to see You can always see further on a night

where the moon and stars are out then if it is cloudy and overcast.

We typically state that you can tell the difference between a male

and a female or a dog and a deer at about 75 to 100 yards.

However, if you were looking across an open field and there was a

half moon out you could see a barn or a house 500 yards away.

Remember, that the purpose of an NVD is to see in the dark

not necessarily a long ways like a binocular

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 BLACK SPOTS ON THE SCREEN
As you look through a night vision device you may notice black

spots on the screen. A NVD is similar to a television screen and

attracts dust and dirt. Typically these spots can be cleaned.

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However, this may also be a spot in the tube itself. This is normal.

Most tubes will have some spots in them. These black spots will

not affect the performance or reliability of the night vision device.

The first thing you probably think of when you see the words

night vision is a spy or action movie you've seen, in which

someone straps on a pair of night-vision goggles to find someone

else in a dark building on a moonless night. And you may have

wondered "Do those things really work? Can you actually see in

the dark?"

The answer is most definitely yes. With the proper night-

vision equipment, you can see a person standing over 200 yards

(183 m) away on a moonless, cloudy night! Night vision can work

in two very different ways, depending on the technology used.

• Image enhancement - This 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

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 our eyes, and amplifying it to the point that we can easily

observe the image.

• Thermal imaging - This technology 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.

In this article, you will learn about the two major night-vision

technologies. We'll also discuss the various types of night-vision

equipment and applications. But first, let's talk about infrared

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 Equipment

Night-vision equipment can be split into three broad categories

Scopes - Normally handheld or mounted on a weapon, scopes are

monocular (one eye-piece). Since scopes are handheld, not worn

like goggles, they are good for when you want to get a better look

at a specific object and then return to normal viewing conditions.

DARK
INVADER Multi-
purpose
Pocketscope

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 Goggles - While goggles can be handheld, they are most often

worn on the head. Goggles are binocular (two eye-pieces) and

may have a single lens or stereo lens, depending on the model.

Goggles are excellent for constant viewing, such as moving around

in a dark building.

DARK INVADER Night-vision Goggles 4501

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Cameras - Cameras with night-vision technology can send the

image to a monitor for display or to a VCR for recording. When

night-vision capability is desired in a permanent location, such

as on a building or as part of the equipment in a helicopter,

cameras are used. Many of the newer camcorders have night

vision built right in.

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 Stealth 301 Series Day/Night Video Camera

Applications

This soldier is using DARK INVADER night-vision goggles.

Common applications for night vision include:

• Military

• Law enforcement

• Hunting

• Wildlife observation

• Surveillance

• Security

• Navigation

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 • Hidden-object detection

• Entertainment

Camcorders are a fast-growing segment

of the night-vision industry.

The original purpose of night vision was to locate enemy targets at

night. It is still used extensively by the military for that purpose, as
well as for navigation, surveillance and targeting. Police and
security often use both thermal-imaging and image-enhancement
technology, particularly for surveillance. Hunters and nature
enthusiasts use NVDs to maneuver through the woods at night.

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Detectives and private investigators use night vision to watch
people they are assigned to track. Many businesses have
permanently-mounted cameras equipped with night vision to
monitor the surroundings.

A really amazing ability of thermal-imaging is that it reveals

whether an area has been disturbed -- it can show that the ground
has been dug up to bury something, even if there is no obvious sign
to the naked eye. Law enforcement has used this to discover items
that have been hidden by criminals, including money, drugs and
bodies. Also, recent changes to areas such as walls can be seen
using thermal imaging, which has provided important clues in
several cases.

Many people are beginning to discover the unique world that can
be found after darkness falls. If you're out camping or hunting a
lot, chances are that night-vision devices can be useful to you --
just be sure to get the right type for your needs.

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