Surface acoustic wave infrared line imaging array

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The surface acoustic wave infrared line imaging array comprises a first interdigital transducer receiving a line segment of an infrared image for generating a first surface acoustic wave train in response to an impulse signal, a second interdigital transducer, parallel to said first interdigital transducer for generating a second surface acoustic wave train, 180.
degree.
out of phase with said first surface acoustic wave train, in response to said impulse signal, and a third interdigital transducer disposed proximate the ends of said first and second interdigital transducers for summing the amplitudes of said first and second surface acoustic wave trains to output a wave train signal in which the individual waves are amplitude modulated in accordance with the intensity or profile of the infrared image line segment received by the first interdigital transducer.
The amplitude modulated wave train signal may be converted to an analog or digital format.
One advantage of the surface acoustic wave infrared line imaging array is its small size and ease of manufacture.
Another advantage is that it does not require cryogenic cooling and is operable at ambient temperatures.
Another advantage is its fast response, because the surface acoustic wave samples the surface temperature of the substrate to a depth of only a few microns.
These and other advantages will become more apparent from reading the specification in conjunction with the drawings.