Using autocollimation systems in thermal-vision devices

This paper explains the results of studies of the contrast formation of the IR radiation of a "cold" object when it is observed through an optical sys tem having a higher temperature. It describes how the autocollimation pheno menon can be used to create devices for automatic focusing and efficient mo nitoring of the sensitivity in thermal-vision devices. These devices can us e their own cooled photodetectors as reference sources of IR radiation. (C) 2000 The Optical Society of America. [S1070-9762(00)01308-7].