Night vision devices and thermal imagers, or how to find a black cat in a dark room. Night vision glasses infrared glasses

Vision is the most important way to perceive the surrounding reality. Visually we get most of the information about the external world. Our eyes are an amazingly complex and perfect mechanism given to us by nature. But, unfortunately, their possibilities are somewhat limited.

A person is able to perceive only a very narrow optical range of the entire spectrum of electromagnetic radiation (it is also called a visible section of the spectrum), in addition, the eye can perceive the "picture" only under conditions of sufficient light. For example, if it falls below the level of 0.01 suites, we lose the ability to distinguish between the colors of objects and we can only see large items nearby.

This is doubly insulting, because because of this feature of our vision, we are practically blind in the dark. A person has always envied other representatives of the animal kingdom, for which night blades are not an obstacle: cats, owls, wolves, bats.

Especially did not like such limited human vision by the military. But it was possible to radically change the situation only in the middle of the last century, when, thanks to the achievements of physics, night vision devices appeared, allowing to see at night at night almost as clear as during the day.

Currently, night vision devices are not only in army arsenals, they are glad to use rescuers, hunters, security units, special services. And if we talk about the thermal imagers, the list of their use is even wider.

Today, there is a huge number of the most diverse types and types of night vision devices (PNV), made in the form of binoculars, monocles (monoculars), sights or ordinary glasses. However, before talking about the device for a night vision device, you should say a few words about the physical principles on which the work of such devices is based.

How does he work

The operation of night vision devices and thermal imagers is based on physical phenomena of an internal and external photo effect.

The essence of the appearance of an external photo effect (or photoelectron emission) is that the solids under the influence of light emit electrons, which are captured by PNV. The basis of any unit of night vision is the eop - an electron-optical converter, which catches a weak reflected light, enhances it and turns into an electronic signal. It is him who sees a man in the lens PNV. It should be understood that no night vision device is able to "see" in absolute dark. True, there are active PNVs that use their own source of infrared radiation to illuminate objects.

Any night vision device consists of three main components: optical, electronic and one more optical. The light is made by the lens, which then focuses it on the ESO, where the photons turn the electronic signal. Maximum stressed signal It is transmitted to the luminescent screen, where it turns into the image familiar to the human eye. The above design is generally characteristic of any generation of PNV, simply modern night vision devices (second and third generation) have a more advanced signal amplification system.

The thermal imagers also capture their own radiation of any body or object, the temperature of which is excellent from the absolute zero. The main part of the thermal imagers is the so-called bolometers - complex photographic devices that capture infrared waves. Such sensors are sensitive to wavelengths corresponding to the temperature range from -50 to +500 degrees Celsius.

In fact, thermal imagers have a fairly simple design. Each similar device consists of a lens, a thermal imaging matrix and a signal processing unit, as well as the screen to which the finished image is displayed. Thermal imagers are two types: with a cooled and uncooled matrix. The first are the most sensitive, expensive and massive. Their matrix is \u200b\u200bcooled to the temperature -210 to -170o C, usually liquid nitrogen is used for this. More often they are used on large military equipment (for example, any night vision tank device).

The thermal imagers with an uncooled matrix are an order of magnitude cheaper, they are smaller in size, but also the sensitivity is much lower. However, most of the thermal imaging, which today are presented on the market (up to 97%), belongs to this category.

One of the main features of the thermal imagers, which largely determines their high cost, are their lenses. The fact is that the usual glass used in most optical devices is absolutely opaque for infrared radiation. Therefore, such rare materials such as Germanium, the market price of which is about 2 thousand dollars per kg, are used for thermal imagers. The average German lens for the thermal imager costs about 7 thousand dollars, and the price of good can reach up to 20 thousand dollars. Today in Russia, and abroad are actively looking for a replacement Germany that in theory can reduce the cost of thermal imager by 40-50%.

History and classification PNV

The classification of night vision devices is based on the sensitivity of the photocathode, the degree of light gain, as well as the resolution in the center of the resulting image. As a rule, there are three generations of PNVs. In addition, a separate generation is often the earlier PNV with an additional source of infrared radiation. On the manufacturers' sites, you can meet information about the PNV of the so-called intermediate generations, like 1+ or 2+. However, such gradation is more persecuting marketing purposes than is the display of real differences.

Improving the design of the PNV and the emergence of new generations of these devices was sequentially one by one. Therefore, the classification of night vision devices is more convenient to consider together with the history of their development.

On August 23, 1914, near the Belgian city of Ostend, Germans managed to discover the British squadron consisting of armadagle cruisers and the destroyer. And not just to detect - but also to adjust the artillery fire with these devices, without giving the enemy ships to get closer to an important port. It is believed that it was from this moment that the history of night vision devices began.

In 1934, a real breakthrough occurred in this area: Dutchman Canvas created the world's first electronic optical converter (ESA). Two years later, the Russian emigrant Zvorykin developed an EEA with electrostatic focusing signal, which later became the "heart" of the first commercial PNV of the American company Radio Corporation of America.

A period of rapid development of PNV was the Second World War. The leader in their development and application was Hitler Germany. The first prototype of the sight of night vision was created by the German company Allgemeine Electricitats-Gesellschaft (AEG) in 1936, it was intended for installation on Pak 35/36 L / 45 anti-tank guns.

By 1944, the German anti-tank Pak 40 guns could fire, using night vision devices, at a distance of up to 700 meters. At about the same time, the vermick troops of the Wehrmacht received the PNV Sperber FG 1250, with the use of which the last major German offensive took place on the East Front near the Hungarian Lake Balaton.

All of the above night vision devices belong to the so-called zero generation. Such devices were distinguished by very weak sensitivity, so an additional source of infrared light was needed for normal operation. For example, every five German tanks equipped with Sperber FG 1250, accompanied the armored personnel carrier with a powerful infrared Uhu infrared locator ("Filin"). In addition, the zero-generation PNV had an eope, sensitive to bright outbreaks of light. That is why at the end of the war, Soviet troops often used ordinary searchlights in the offensive. They simply blinded the German PNV.

The Germans were attempts to create and PNV, which would provide a greater range of vision (up to 4 km), but due to the significant sizes of the IR spotlight, they refused them. In 1944, an experienced party was sent to the troops (300 pcs) PNV Vampir, intended for installation on the German assault rifles "Sturmhever". In its composition, except for the directly sight, included an IR spotlight and accumulator battery. General weight The device exceeded 30 kg, the range is 100 meters, and the time of its operation was only 20 minutes. Despite these rather modest indicators, the Germans actively used the "vampire" in the night battles of the final stage of war.

Attempts to create a null generation PNV were in the Soviet Union. Even before the war for the tanks of the BT family, the "Dudka" complex was developed, later the same system appeared for T-34. You can also recall the domestic night vision device C-3, which was designed for PPS-41 machine guns. Similar weapons planned to equip assault units. However, the widespread PNV in the Red Army did not receive. At that time, night vision devices were still exotic, and the Soviet Union during the Great Patriotic War was definitely not to her.

The experience of World War II showed that night vision devices have excellent prospects. It became clear that this technology can seriously change the way of doing the fighting not only on land, but also in the air and the sea. However, for this, the null generation PNV was to get rid of large number There are deficiencies inherent in them, the main of which was their low sensitivity. She not only limited the range of PNV, but also forced to use a cumbersome and very energy-intensive IR spotlight along with the device. And in general, the design of the first PNV was too complicated and did not differ in sufficient reliability.

Soon, a first-generation instruments based on the ESA with electrostatic focus came to replace the primitive PNV of the military period. They were able to strengthen the input signal several thousand times. This, in turn, made it possible to abandon additional backlight. IK-spotlights are not only overwhelmed by the system, but also demasked the fighter on the battlefield. The peak of his perfection of the first generation PNV reached the 60th of the last century, the Americans actively used them during the Vietnamese War.

The first-generation night vision devices have appeared due to the emergence of a revolutionary microchannel technology, it happened in the 70s. Its essence was that now the optical plates were pulled out by hollow tubes-channels with a diameter of 10 μm and no more than 1 mm long. Their number and determined the resolution of the lighting plate. Photon of light, falling into each of the like channels, causes knocking out a whole cascade of electrons, which significantly increased the sensitivity of the device. For second-generation PNV, the amplification can reach 40 thousand times. Their sensitivity is 240-400 mA / lm, and the resolution is 32-56 STR / mm.

In the Soviet Union on the basis of this technology, glasses of night vision "Kvaker" were created, and in the USA - AN / PVS-5B.

Later, there was no night vision devices in which the electrostatic lens is missing at all and directly transferring electrons to the plate with microchannels. Such PNVs are usually referred to 2+ generation. Based on such a scheme, domestic nightlife glasses are made by the domestic glasses of the NIGHT-chapter or their American analog An / PVS-7.

Further efforts of scientists to improve night vision devices were aimed at improving the photocathode. Philips engineers suggested making it from the new semiconductor material - Galliya Arsenide.

So the third generation night vision devices appeared. Compared with traditional multi-tech photocathodomy, their sensitivity has become higher by 30%, which made it possible to conduct observation even in the conditions of cloud-haired night. The problem was only that the new material could be made only in conditions of deep vacuum, and this process turned out to be very laborious. Therefore, the cost of such a photocathode was an order of magnitude higher than his predecessors. At the same time, the third generation PNV can enhance the incoming light of 100 thousand times. You can also add that it can produce arsenide gallium on an industrial scale only two countries - the USA and Russia.

If you see any information about the sale of the Fourth Generation PNV, then keep in mind: most likely you are cheating. It does not yet exist, it is not clear even, what criteria to use to determine this group. Although, of course, research on the improvement of existing "nightnamores" is conducted in dozens of countries of the world. For thermal imaging, it is looking for a budget replacement of glass from Germany, the main problem of PNV is to find a cheaper analogue of arsenide gallium photocathodov. At the beginning of zero years, the Americans declared the creation of a new generation PNV, but part of the experts believes that it is rather possible to be called 3+ generation.

Application and Perspectives

Instruments that allow a person to see at night, every year becoming more and more popular and find new applications. Modern "civilian" PNVs have quite affordable cost, so they can afford both hunters, and security structures, as well as other categories of citizens who need a night vision.

The most interesting thing is that today there are all three generations of PNV. Many night vision devices for hunting belong to the first generation or even zero and have an IR illumination, which is absolutely unacceptable for military PNV. The third-generation devices are also used on the "Citizer" (they can be seen even in basements). Technologies that are used when creating them have long been not secret, just the devices are very expensive. PNV sights can also be made using elements of various generations.

The use of thermal imagers also has long ceased to be an exceptional prerogative of the military. In addition to hunting and observation in the dark, such devices are becoming increasingly used in scientific research. With their help, for example, check space ships before starting: the thermal imager shows a great leakage, which can lead to a catastrophe. Indispensable thermal imager and energy. This device can easily show where heat is most actively leaving the building, and will also detect the places of maximum loads in energy networks. We use thermal violars and medicine: on the temperature map of the human body you can even put some diagnoses. Every year, such devices are becoming cheaper every year, therefore the sphere of their application is steadily expanding.

If you have any questions - leave them in the comments under the article. We or our visitors will gladly respond to them

Another 60 years ago, only birds and animals could see in the dark. But the rapid development of science and technology discovered this opportunity and man. Thanks to numerous experiments, German developers managed to create night vision points (ONV), which are now indispensable in many areas of human life.

What are ONV

This is a special device that allows you to distinguish objects in the absence of light. The device has double eyepieces and is attached to the head or helmet with special belts. Such a comfortable design makes it possible to use glasses while driving.

The ONV has a built-in infrared clarifier and, depending on the model, can provide visibility from 100 to 600 meters.

Features ONV

A wide range of models. Today, many foreign and Russian manufacturers produce many foreign and Russian manufacturers. They make different modelswhich differ in functionality and cost. Thanks to the big choice and amateur, and the professional has the opportunity to easily choose suitable glasses.
Lack of magnification. ONV do not increase objects.
Broad field of view. Due to the lack of multiplicity, glasses have the largest field vision among all night vision devices.
Convenient use. All ONV can be worn in two versions: in working and folding. In the first case, the glasses are at the level of the eye. And when there is no need to use the device, it can be simply led back. This allows you to perform work not related to glasses.
Ability to use additional nozzles. If necessary, we can consolidate the nozzles to increase the multiplicity or infrared illuminator, which allows you to increase the range of the instrument.

Benefits

The usual model ONV costs about 10 thousand rubles. Therefore, many buyers are wondering about the feasibility of purchase. According to experts, night vision glasses are an optimal device for long night observations. The fact is that the monocular and binoculars have good characteristics, but with a long look at such devices, hands are quickly tired. Well, if you can consolidate the devices on a tripod or another support, you will have to lead only static observation. At the same time, when using ONV, hands are completely exempt and there is an opportunity to move around the ground in any direction. And when they are not needed, it is enough to bring points in a non-working position without removing from the head.

Types ONV: What to choose?

To date, two types of ONV are distinguished: binocular and pseudobinular. The first type of glasses consists of two identical channels under the left and right eye. Each channel has a lens, an electronic optical converter and eyepiece. In such an ONV, the image is processed separately by each channel. In most models there is a special regulator that allows you to adjust the distances between pupils. Therefore, each operator can configure the binocular glasses of night vision. The photo of the device of this type is presented below.

Binocular ONV allow you to quickly determine the distance of items to the lens, but they are distinguished by a lot of weight and cost. Their use is justified only if tasks must be required to quickly estimate the distance and speed. Therefore, binocular points are most often used by special forces and helicopter pilots for performing night operations.

In pseudobinal glasses, an image is gained, which enters the optical channel lens, followed by the separation of it into two eyepieces. Glasses of this type are ideal for night fishing and hunting.

Operating principle

Infrared glasses of night vision allow you to see in complete dark due to the use of special backlight. It contributes to the strengthening of light, which usually does not perceive the human eye.

The light reflected from the items falls on the lens in which the image on the surface of the electron-optical converter fuses. The task of this element is to strengthen the flow of the incoming lens and transfer the image to the screen. On it, the observer examines objects through the eyepiece.

This mode of operation is called passive, since the glasses just enhance the light stream. Well, if there is no light at all, the electronic optical converter cannot make it visible. To solve this problem, in most modern models, ONV has infrared clarifiers. This element serves as a light source and is used in cases where natural lighting is not enough to work for night vision points.

Scope of application

Night vision glasses are designed to monitor objects and orientation on the area at night. This device is used to protect and patrol the territories, the fulfillment of military special operations, the management of air and maritime courts, emergency and rescue work and even travels in extreme conditions. Many use ONV for hunting and fishing in the dark.

Night vision glasses for hunting

Points for night hunting - an indispensable device in the field. It not only makes it possible to imperceptibly get to the game, but also performs the features of eye protection from possible injuries.

Hunting glasses are also divided into several species. Montocular is considered the most popular. They are securely attached to the head of the hunter, thereby freeing his hands for a thorough sight. The only drawback of such glasses is a limited vision of the panorama.

Dear models of glasses for hunting allow you to adjust the optical scale and increase the image.

How to make ONV yourself?

Night vision glasses have long come to the life of an ordinary person. Professional devices, as a rule, are expensive, so more and more people are trying to make such a device alone.

To make night vision glasses with your own hands, you will need two unnecessary mobile phone, old glasses, lantern and children's metal designer.

So, you need to take two identical working mobile workers with cameras. From the glasses, remove the lenses and install two identical magnifiers in their place.

From the metal children's designer to make two brackets that should be attached phones to points. In the fixed position, the brackets must be directed forward. The method of fastening depends on the design of the phones. In each case, the type of fixation must be selected individually.

Then you need to fix phones on glasses at a distance, in which the image on the screens is clearly seen. Excellent if the phones allow you to turn on cameras without SIM cards. Well, if it is impossible, you need to insert cards into every phone.

After that, you should remake the usual lED lantern on infrared. To do this, you need to drop white diodes, and in their place, observing the polarity, infrared. Now you can proceed to testing homemade ONV.

You can check the efficiency of the device in the usual room. At night, you need to turn off the light, put the glasses on the head with the cameras included. Placement to freshen infrared lantern. It is important that the phones are canceled automatic shutdown Backlighting and configured its minimum brightness.

All objects that fall under the scope of the lantern should be visible on the screens. But only their image will be white, and not green, as on factory-made devices.

If it does not work independently, it does not work, but there is a need for them, the only option remains - to buy a finished device.

Glasses "Dipole"

Night vision glasses "Dipole" are produced for more than 20 years. Thanks new technologies and higher experience The manufacturer can create high-quality devices of optimal cost.

The main advantage of the dipole glasses is the ability to easily change lenses with different types of increase without additional settings. In all models of ONV, eyepieces are used with a large pupil diameter. This significantly simplifies the use of the device, since there is no need to adjust the inter-vicious distance.

The glasses are conveniently fixed on the head and do not cause discomfort even with a long-term sock. They are easy and convenient to use. A simple design allows you to quickly adjust the position of the glasses and cast them into the vertical position.

Other advantages of ONV "Dipole" are the reliability and durability of the device. The device has excellent mechanical, optical and ergonomic characteristics. To create glasses, the manufacturer uses a high-quality impact of shock-resistant plastic and aviation aluminum.

ONV "Visa Max"

High-quality products with excellent optical characteristics Releases Famous American Astronics Corp. It produces night vision glasses "Visa Max" for pilots of aircraft. Thanks to the unique technology, the instruments allow you to see well to see the space even through the fog and smoke. Glasses help the pilots to accurately see trees, lines, obstacles and important landmarks. Also during the use of ONV Visa Max improves spatial orientation and fatigue decreases.

The use of "Visa Max" glasses allows you to minimize or even completely eliminate the likelihood of meteorological interference during the flight.

In Moscow since 1992, Optics Trade is actively working, whose specialization is the sale of various optical-mechanical products for professional activities and hobbies. Among the large assortment variety can be found binoculars, sights, night vision devices, including special glasses for hunting.

What glasses it is better to choose

Modern devices for surveillance at night and with poor lighting due to weather conditions are now released as convenient and adapted for operation. Night vision glasses, buy in Moscow who offers OpticStrade online store, allow you to run fishing with special comfort - the hunter's hands are released, the functionality of the device is increased. Such a device can be used unlimited time. If there is a need, the hunters move it up and distracted by observations by any other occupation.

Night vision glasses for hunting, the price for which can be different through professional components is expensive and more budget. Such an execution of the device of night vision is distinguished by the fact that there is no multiplicity of magnification. With poor visibility, this characteristic is considered an advantage, as it allows the hunter more adequately assess the situation on this moment. More productive observation allows you to conduct a wide field of view along with excellent quality optics.

Deciding to purchase glasses in Moscow for night vision, the hunters often use infrared (IR) illumination or lights, which, without much effort and skills, can simply and quickly attach to the body. Such a purchase will increase the surveillance range and detail the object. In addition, it is possible to retail the device by a nozzle, which increases the multiplicity of existing optics. Now you can buy any model from different global manufacturers in Moscow, including exclusive models.

The advantages of the service and a large selection

Sale of night vision points for hunting in our company has a number of their advantages:

a large selection of models of different configuration and difficulty of execution;
the price of night vision glasses can be high or budget - it all depends on the choice of model and brand;
the company changes the goods if something in it has not arranged the client, or returns 100% of the cost;
service is carried out throughout the entire operational period - the company supports contacts with all manufacturers;
the offer of post-warranty repair for devices purchased not in our store;
receipt of payment only after confirming the management managers in the warehouse.

If you decide to purchase a device at the retail point, it is possible to help professionals in installing a weapon bracket. It works from 9:00 to 21:00 without interruptions in 7/7 mode. Experienced managers are always ready to provide advisory assistance and choose a model for a specific use goal. Depending on the price of goods and the selected delivery method of payment methods can be different - cash on delivery, partial or complete prepayment.

Possible pickup goods from different stores of the company, courier delivery in Moscow and the region for 4-24 hours (provided that the amount of the order is at least 12,000 rubles). Also possible sending or delivery by courier postal service EMC "Post of Russia" or SDEK.

We present to your attention a section with night vision points. These modern devices that endow the person have the opportunity to see in complete darkness, have one big advantage over similar devices. This is a comfortable mount to the head with the help of a special mask helmet. Users disappears the need to constantly keep a high-tech device in hand, in addition, in this position it can be perfectly configured to their parameters of view once. The scope of points is not limited to the night hunt, they can successfully use tourists, rescuers, navigators, workers of security structures, lovers to watch animal life, whose activity is manifested in the dark, etc.

Night vision glasses for hunting

If you consider yourself an avid hunter, we advise you to buy night vision points from our assortment. Here you can choose a model that is ideal for any of your requirements. Mark EOP, photosensitivity, presence or absence of IR illumination Durability and reliability of work in almost any conditions. If you choose night vision glasses, the price of which is located in the average price range, we advise you to pay attention to the products of the Pulsar brands or the Dipole NPF. These devices will be able to serve you far from one year. The operational period of devices of this class is far beyond the limits of the warranty period. The ability to see in complete darkness or at a very low level of illumination gives the hunter with indisputable advantages that he can take advantage during the night hunting for a cautious beast.

Price of night vision glasses

If you are looking for modern night vision points, we advise you to pay attention to the range of the relevant section. Wide selection and loyal pricing policy will choose a modern device that will fully satisfy your requirements. A small cost of night vision points for hunting will allow you to go to your favorite hobby in the next weekend.

In this article I will tell you how to make simple night vision glasses. Of course they will not be super powerful as real, but it will not be so difficult to get to the right place in the room. All necessary details can be found at your home, you can order them in Chinese, and you can simply read this article for general development.

In the design of the glasses there is a camera action, in fact it is one of the main parts, so in the daytime it can be used as a first person chamber and remove interesting videos.

You also need an infrared flashlight with a light wave of 850 Nm, since it is that the camera best perceives the camera, but you can try to replace it with infrared LEDs with similar characteristics, if such suddenly turn out to be available. It is convenient to use the flashlight by the fact that you do not need to make a separate boxing for nutrition and attach it much easier.

If you turn on the flashlight and look at the diode through the chamber, you can observe the lilac glow, this is infrared. His human eye is not visible, but through the camera, please!

But not all the chambers are lonely well perceive such radiation, so the author used exactly the camera shark, since it coped with the task better than others, besides, such a camera has many settings that will help improve the perception of radiation.

We still need lenses for glasses virtual realityThat were purchased by the author to Aliexpress, they are needed to focus their eyes on the camera screen, as human eyes are not able to focus on objects that are directly in front of them at a minimum distance.

To fix the lenses you need to collect the framework. Auto used for this purpose a dark plastic bottle of drink.

The lens is exactly suitable for the neck diameter, it remains only to fix it there.

To do this, you do not need to glue, you just need to cut with a blade or knife, middle part Corks from the same bottle.

Then put in it a lens and twist on the bottle. It seems that the lens specially made the neck diameter, as the cork is easily spinning and fixes it.

Now you need to cut off the upper part of the bottle, while choosing a comfortable length, in which the focus will be correctly correct.

Next, you need to come up with a holder for the camera to which the collected optics will be mounted. The author used foamed PVC plastic that is used when assembling layouts. It must be chopped into pieces in the size of the camera, whatever the boxes and glue them with a super glue.

Then you need to consolidate the optics from the segment of the bottle to this viewing window. For this, molar scotch tape mark the edges of the window and cut off everything too much, not touching tape. It turns out two protrusions that should be easily inserted into the edges of the window, after which we sample all the super glue for fixation.

After the assembly, the camera very tightly comes into the resulting boxing and there is a possibility that the camera will not be able to pull back, so the author decided to make slots for the fingers and the recording button. After a small refinement, the camera without problems can be removed from the box.

To protect the points from chips, we glue the glass with molar scotch. We take the crown and drill the hole in the center evenly on both sides. The author recommends drilling not to the end, leaving thin plastic, then finish the hole with a stationery knife, it will help to avoid possible chips and cracks when drilling.

After the hole is done, the optical should be freely inserted there, but as can be seen in the photo, the camera is directed in the side and need to align.

Then, with the help of the sandwich, he cleaned all the edges and using super glue glued everything on his place.

Plumbing clips of the desired diameter, which are selected based on the lantern sizes were used for fastening the lantern.

Clips are attached to the side of the glasses using bolts and the gayak. After that, the lantern is easily fixed and holds reliably in its place. Infrared lamp can be replaced with usual and as mentioned above, shoot good video from the first person.

For more reliable fixation, the author recommends consolidating the 32nd pipe with nylon ties, as the camera has weight and fastening on super glue may not withstand. To do this, with the help of drill and screwdriver, we make three holes in the pipe and three in glasses against each other, we launch the screeds in them and we are tightened, now exactly reliable!