[Paparazzi-devel] IR Window Materials

[David Bryant]

Hi all,

I purchased some infrared transmissible material that I wish to surround 
my thermopiles with. I purchased it from this link:

http://www.edmundoptics.com/onlinecatalog/displayproduct.cfm?productid=2043

They claim "Excellent Optics for Infrared Detectors" and "Minimal 
Absorption Loss in the 8 to 14 Micron Region". According to the 
datasheets the critical wavelengths for the thermopiles are 7.5 to 13.5 
microns.

I've done some crude tests and seem to get about 50% attenuation through 
the material.

Before I test fly this in an aircraft, has anyone had any experience 
encasing thermopiles in materials, or have any opinions on the matter?

I imagine the sensors will cope with 50% attenuation, but scattering of 
the light and thus blurring the distinction between ground and sky may 
also be an issue...

Regards,
Dave