Researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS) have recently achieved a groundbreaking advancement in night vision technology.
Night vision goggles are pictured on a mannequin during the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) fair at the ExCeL centre, in London, on September 12, 2023.
DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images
Night vision goggles are pictured on a mannequin during the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) fair at the ExCeL centre, in London, on September 12, 2023.
Traditional night vision devices are often bulky and heavy, limiting their use to specific professions like the military and wildlife photography.
However, this new filter, weighing less than a gram, could be incorporated into regular glasses, allowing users to see both visible and infrared light simultaneously.
The technology behind this breakthrough lies in a non-local lithium niobate metasurface, which enhances infrared vision through a process called non-linear upconversion.
Unlike traditional night vision that requires bulky cooling systems, this metasurface operates at room temperature, further reducing the size and weight of the device.
Additionally, the researchers explained that the filter seamlessly combines the infrared and visible spectrums into a single image by converting 1550 nm infrared light, which is commonly used in telecommunications, into 550 nm visible light, to which the human eye is highly sensitive.
Lead author Laura Valencia Molina explained that some have considered high efficiency up-conversion of infrared to visible light to be impossible due to information loss from angular loss inherent in non-local metasurfaces.
"We overcome these limitations and experimentally demonstrate high efficiency image up-conversion," Molina said.
This development not only miniaturizes night vision technology but also improves its functionality. Older systems often had trouble smoothly combining visible and infrared images. However, this new filter allows for the capture of both spectrums in a single image, providing a more comprehensive view of the surroundings.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MAY 8: A mannequin displays quad night vision goggles on the exhibit floor at Special Operations Forces (SOF) Week at the Tampa Convention Center on May 8, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. According to the city, the demonstration will feature more than 170 United States Special Operations Command and international service members from 10 nations will take part in mock scenario defending the city of Tampa from ‘hostile invaders.’ Photo by Luke Sharrett/Getty Images
The Future of Night Vision Glasses
The implications of this research extend beyond everyday applications. The researchers believe this technology could transform industries like surveillance, autonomous navigation, and biological imaging.
By reducing the size, weight, and power requirements of night vision, they are paving the way for the widespread adoption of this technology in various fields.
"These results promise significant opportunities for the surveillance, autonomous navigation, and biological imaging industries, amongst others," said Chief Investigator Dragomir Neshev.
Nishev explains that decreasing the size, weight, and power requirements of night vision technology is an example of how meta-optics, and the work TMOS is doing, is crucial to Industry 4.0 (digital transformation of the manufacturing sector) and the future extreme miniaturization of technology.
While more work is needed to enhance the device's capabilities, it is a big step towards making night vision technology accessible to more people.
