In the world of surveillance and security, technological advancements have revolutionized the way we monitor and protect our surroundings. At the heart of these innovations lies photonics, the power of light to enhance the capabilities of surveillance cameras. From enabling night vision to facilitating long-range monitoring, photonics plays a pivotal role in ensuring clarity, accuracy, and reliability in surveillance operations.
Night vision
Thanks to photonics, surveillance cameras can work even when it’s as dark as midnight. How? With infrared (IR) sensors and illuminators we can operate within the infrared wavelength range of the electromagnetic spectrum. They can pick up light that our eyes can’t see, called infrared light. Then, these sensors turn that invisible light into visible images. So, even in the dead of night or in a dark alley, surveillance cameras equipped with photonics can capture clear pictures and videos.
High-resolution imaging
Have you ever marveled at how clear and detailed the pictures on your phone or computer can be? Photonics is behind those stunning images. Inside surveillance cameras, there are tiny but powerful components called charge-coupled devices (CCDs) and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensors. When light hits them, they turn those tiny particles of light, called photons, into electrical signals. And that’s how surveillance cameras capture such high-quality images and videos, making it easier to spot details, faces, and actions, even from a distance.
Long-range monitoring
Have you ever wished you could zoom in on something far away. Thanks to photonics, surveillance cameras can do just that. With special lenses and stabilization systems powered by photonics, surveillance cameras can effectively monitor large areas and objects from a distance.
Thermal imaging Regular cameras might struggle in conditions like dense fog, but not ones equipped with thermal imaging, thanks to photonics. Thermal imaging cameras use special detectors that can pick up heat signatures, kind of like how you can feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. These detectors capture infrared radiation emitted by objects based on their temperature differences. So, even if it’s foggy, smoky, or dark as can be, surveillance cameras with thermal imaging can see what’s happening by detecting the heat given off by people or objects.
