SWIR

Even with a flashlight or searchlight, navigation through dense smoke and fog is difficult, because visibility is severely limited due to absorption in in the visible spectrum and backscattering (Fig. 1 & Fig.2). Although it is possible to see through smoke and fog with thermal imaging cameras, but their dependency in temperature impairs navigation in great heat. This is especially problematic for emergency forces (e.g. firefighters) and for the observation of critical infrastructures. One solution to this problem is the use of wavelengths in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, since increased fog and smoke penetration and thus increased visibility can be achieved here without temperature dependencies (Fig. 1).

To provide optimal support for emergency forces, the demonstrator is built to be portable (Fig. 3). Thus, the compact housing comes with side handles, optional battery operation as well as operation via a touchscreen embedded in the housing. This device should be further optimized in terms of ease of use through cooperation with fire department emergency services.
The innovation of this project lies within the combination of a SWIR-sensor, the portability of the system and the investigation of different wavelengths for improved smoke and fog penetration, thus delivering a new method to assist emergency forces.
Along with the investigation over different wavelength the future use of polarized radiation will be used to suppress backscattering.