Tunable filters based on electro-optic effect have shown great potential in detecting gas concentration through obtaining its absorption spectrum. In filter-based technologies, the x-y 2D imaging is usually taken at once, while the wavelength dimension is performed by tunable filters that are mounted in front of a monochrome IR camera. Several types of tunable filters are currently available, including mechanically tuned Fabry-Perot etalon (FP filter), liquid-crystal Lyot-Ohman filters and acousto-optic filters. However, these EO tuning technologies have some shortages, such as slow tuning speed, bulky design, limited working band and small aperture. Boston Applied Technologies, Inc. (BATi) proposes a unique remote sensing system which is based on a tunable filter with under millisecond tuning time for high speed detection of gas concentration. The core part, tunable filter, of the proposed system is made of patented OptoCeramic® material. The system features high speed, wide spectral range from visible to MWIR, low cost, light weight, big aperture, and robust.
