ANALYTICAL 4D INFRARED TOMOGRAPHY USING AN INSB FOCAL-PLANE ARRAY SENSOR .1. 3D INFRARED TOMOGRAPHY (SINGLE-WAVELENGTH APPROACH)

A combined mid-IR and near-IR camera with focal plane InSb detector ar ray has been applied to remote, noninvasive, infrared tomographic anal ysis of turbid, three-dimensional macroscopic polymer bodies, Tomograp hic infrared images were recorded under distinct, equidistant angular views of samples mounted at a rotating sample holder, Hidden metallic, nonmetallic, and liquid samples inside the turbid hollow polymer body have been three-dimensionally reconstructed by using the tomographic back-projection computer algorithm. Radiation penetrated samples up to 2 x 1.5 mm thickness. Potential chemical-analytical applications of q uantitative infrared tomography as a new technology to noninvasive 3D analysis of polymers, glasses, tablets and drugs, and turbid liquids w ere discussed theoretically.