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What Is Thermal Imaging?
All objects, both natural and man-made, emit infrared energy as heat. By detecting very subtle temperature differences in everything within view, infrared (or thermal vision) technology reveals what would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye. Even in complete darkness and challenging weather conditions, thermal imaging allows users to see what is otherwise unseen. Thermal sensors detect heat emitted by objects and convert it into an electronic signal to generate a thermal image. This enables users to perceive temperature differences within the scope’s field of view.

Applications in Various Fields

Hunting
Detection Advantage: Thermal scopes like the Sytong Thor 5 640 make night hunting—especially for hogs, varmints, and coyotes—highly effective. The heat signatures of these animals stand out against cooler backgrounds, even in total darkness.
Example: A hunter using a Sytong Thor 5 640 can easily spot the warm heat signature of a coyote moving through dense foliage, a scenario where traditional night vision might be less effective.

Shooting
Target Acquisition: In shooting, particularly in low-light conditions, thermal technology helps shooters quickly identify targets.
Example: A shooter practicing at a range with dim lighting can use a thermal scope to better see and aim at targets that would otherwise blend into the dark background.

Home Defense
Intruder Identification: Thermal imaging plays a crucial role in home defense by allowing homeowners to detect intruders based on their heat signatures, providing an advantage in darkness or obscured conditions.
Example: If an intruder hides in the bushes at night, their heat signature can be easily detected with a thermal imaging device, alerting the homeowner.

Security
Perimeter Surveillance: In security, thermal imaging is invaluable for monitoring large, dark areas where potential threats could be hiding.
Example: Security personnel patrolling a large, dark property can use thermal imaging to quickly spot human figures, even if they are camouflaged or concealed in shadows.

The Main Parameters of Thermal Imaging Devices

Thermal Sensor Size

The resolution of the thermal sensor, specifically the microbolometer, is a crucial parameter in evaluating sensor quality. It indicates the number of sensitive elements (pixels) that make up the sensor. A higher pixel count contributes to the production of more detailed images. Standard sizes for thermal imaging sensors include:

Pixel Pitch and Thermal Imaging Sensor Measurement
When exploring the intricate technical specifications of a digital image sensor, one will inevitably encounter a critical metric known as pixel pitch. In essence, pixel pitch refers to the width of an individual pixel on the sensor, typically measured in microns (μm). This metric simplifies the calculation of the overall physical sensor size—simply multiply the resolution by the pixel pitch. However, confusion may arise when considering how pixel pitch influences a thermal sensor’s field of view (FOV) and image detail.

Unlike standard visible-light sensors, where increasing resolution without changing sensor size enhances image detail, thermal cameras follow a different principle. In thermal imaging, increasing resolution while maintaining the same pixel pitch does not enhance image detail but instead broadens the field of view.

To illustrate the impact of pixel pitch, let’s compare two common values: 17 microns and 12 microns.

17-Micron Pixel Pitch
A pixel pitch of 17 microns means that the centers of neighboring pixels are 17 micrometers apart. Sensors with this pixel pitch tend to be physically larger, which can offer advantages such as improved thermal sensitivity. A larger pixel pitch allows for greater infrared radiation absorption, making these sensors well-suited for applications where detecting faint heat signatures is critical.

12-Micron Pixel Pitch
In contrast, a pixel pitch of 12 microns indicates a smaller distance between pixel centers. Sensors with a 12-micron pixel pitch are generally more compact, allowing for higher pixel density within the same physical sensor size. This results in increased image resolution and finer details, making them ideal for applications where high precision is essential.