Technology
Night vision technology was started as a way for soldiers in the dark, but it has evolved into something that people around the world use for everything from professional work to recreation.
Light has a large spectrum of colors, but our eyes can only see a small portion of it. This can make some areas appear dark when there is plenty of light illuminating the area.
The challenge in making use of this light is transforming it into something that humans can see. This is something that night vision does, though how it does so is often what separates one device apart from another.
Let's explore the history of night vision to better understand how it fits in with modern technology.
The Early Days of Night Vision
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Night vision was originally developed for use by the military during World War II. It allowed allied soldiers to see without giving the enemy the advantage to do so.The first night vision devices worked on the same principles as modern day devices. They projected infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye, which illuminated the nearby environment. The light bounced back to the viewing device, passed through a cathode, then was translated into something that humans could see.
Images of these early night vision devices looked fuzzy and lacked the ability to detect color.
The Next Step in Night Vision Devices
Most areas have minuscule amounts of visible light. It is how our eyes are shaped that limits us to seeing these areas as dark.
Cats, on the other hand, can see fairly well in dark areas.
These biological differences gave rise to a new development in night vision technology: image intensification.
The idea behind this technique is that images in low-light surroundings can be made visible by increasing the “intensity” of light. This enabled night vision devices to see without active illumination, which in turn allowed for “colored” night vision.
Combining Intensification and Illumination
Most modern night vision technologies combine active illumination and image intensification. They utilize active illumination to provide the “shape” of objects while painting the intensified light onto those templates.The result is a clearer type of night vision device. These devices can “shift” how much of each type of night vision they use, which in turn saves on power while significantly increasing clarity.
This technique is what companies like Infrared Cameras, Inc. utilize in their products. They enable everything from army personnel to unmanned drones to see in low- or no-light conditions.
Tomorrow's Night Vision
Advances in night vision technology are being developed. These improvements include higher fidelity systems, a reduction in visual noise from active illumination, more energy-efficient devices and more.Improvements include higher fidelity systems, a reduction in visual noise from active illumination, more energy-efficient devices and more.
The most notable development on the horizon is the integration of other types of light into night vision technology. Thermal vision, for example, may provide a way for night vision devices to become clearer without significantly increasing power requirements.
Night Vision: Seeing at All Times
Night vision technology was started as a way for soldiers to see during battles, but it has evolved into something that people around the world use for everything from professional work to recreation. The principles driving night vision technology make it essential for the advancement of human kind.New advances in night vision will allow people to see more clearly during dark conditions, which in turn makes the world just that much more accessible.
| By Anica Oaks | Embed |
Author Bio - A recent college graduate from University of San Francisco, Anica loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she's used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.
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