JP3262149B2 - Infrared detector and excitation method thereof - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an infrared detector and its excitation.
Method, more specifically, infrared detection in a narrow part, infrared detection under bright light, and infrared detector capable of preventing visual impairment caused by infrared light entering the eye and its infrared detector
About the excitation method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An infrared-visible conversion phosphor is a phosphor that emits visible light when irradiated with infrared light, and widely known are an up-conversion phosphor (up-conversion phosphor) and an infrared stimulable phosphor. Have been. As an infrared detector using the infrared-visible conversion phosphor, a card-shaped infrared detector is commercially available, and is widely used as a detector that can easily detect infrared light.

[0003] There are roughly two types of card type infrared detectors, one of which is an infrared detector in which an infrared-visible conversion phosphor is applied in a sheet shape on a paper surface and sandwiched between a pair of transparent films. This is a reflection type detector that irradiates infrared light from the phosphor coating surface direction and observes light emission from the phosphor coating surface direction.
The other is a transmission type detector that can detect infrared light from both sides of a card in which an infrared detector that is made by mixing and solidifying an infrared-visible conversion phosphor with a resin is sandwiched between a pair of transparent films, and the infrared detector is transparent. Since it has optical properties, it is possible to detect light emitted through the infrared detection unit from the side opposite to the infrared light incident surface. In order to detect infrared light, the presence or absence of infrared light is detected by irradiating the infrared detection unit with infrared light and visually confirming the emitted light that is converted to visible light by infrared-visible conversion. .

[0004]

In the conventional infrared detector, light emission cannot be observed from a direction parallel to the card surface. For this reason, a space is required to allow the detection card to be inserted in the direction perpendicular to the light source, and there is a disadvantage that light from the infrared light source in the narrow portion cannot be detected.

Further, in the conventional reflection type infrared detector, infrared light is incident from the phosphor coating surface direction, and emission is also observed from the phosphor coating surface direction. External light may enter the eyes. For this reason, when a strong laser beam is used as the infrared light source, there is a problem that the reflected laser beam directly enters the eyes and causes visual impairment. In the case of a transmission type infrared detector, when the intensity of the incident light is strong, although the intensity of the infrared light transmitted through the infrared detection unit is weakened by scattering or absorbing much of the incident infrared light at the infrared detection unit, Sometimes caused visual impairment.

Further, in the visual confirmation of light emission, not only does the recognition rate change in accordance with the magnitude of the absolute value of the light intensity generated by the infrared-visible conversion, but also the intensity ratio between the light intensity and the surrounding scattered light, that is, The recognition rate also changes depending on the level of the contrast. When the absolute values of the light emission intensities are equal, the higher the contrast, the higher the recognition rate, that is, the infrared detection sensitivity. Therefore, even if light emission of the same intensity occurs, the contrast is reduced under bright light, so that the recognition rate is reduced and the effective detection sensitivity is reduced. In a normal working environment, it is impossible to cut off ambient light, and the reduction in effective sensitivity due to ambient light has been an unavoidable problem.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, to enable infrared detection in a narrow portion, infrared detection in bright light, It is an object of the present invention to provide an infrared detector capable of preventing a visual impairment caused by external light entering an eye and an excitation method thereof.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an infrared detector according to the present invention comprises a solid support for transmitting visible light and absorbing infrared light. It has a infrared detector body with an outer visible conversion unit, the infrared visible
The conversion phosphor is an infrared stimulable phosphor, and the infrared detector
The body is housed in a light-shielding cylinder that is hollow light-shielding and has openings at both ends.
The light-shielding tube is wrapped and at least two
Consisting of a cylinder, at least one of which is the outer periphery of the waveguide support
The light-shielding cylinder expands and contracts by moving in the
Light-shields all of the waveguide support, and supports the waveguide during expansion and contraction
It is characterized in that only a part of the body is shielded from light .

Further , the infrared detector according to the present invention is a solid-state infrared detector.
At one end of a waveguide support that transmits visible light and absorbs infrared light
Red with infrared-visible conversion part consisting of infrared-visible conversion phosphor
Having an external detector main body, and an outer end face of the infrared-visible conversion section.
Is covered with a light-shielding protective film that transmits infrared light and blocks visible light.
It is characterized by having.

[0010] In addition, a method for exciting an infrared detector according to the present invention.
Is a solid wave-guided support that transmits visible light and absorbs infrared light
One end of the body is equipped with an infrared-visible conversion section made of infrared stimulable phosphor.
An excitation method for an infrared detector, comprising:
Visible light is incident from all around the
The visible light to excite the infrared-visible conversion section.
Features.

The present invention will be described in more detail.

[0012] 1 and 2 show examples of the configuration of the infrared detector of the present invention.
FIG. Infrared detector of this configuration example of the present invention
Is a solid, wave-guiding support that transmits visible light and absorbs infrared light
Equipped with an infrared detector body consisting of
The infrared detector body Hollow light shielding and both ends
And a light-shielding cylinder 3 having an opening at the center. The shading tube 3
At least two light shielding cylinders 31 and 32 are provided.
The light-shielding cylinder 32 has an outer peripheral length of a solid support (waveguide support).
By moving in the hand direction, the light shielding tube 3 expands and contracts,
All shades of the solid support are shaded,
It is structured so that only part of the body can be shielded from light.
You.

As the waveguide support 1, any material may be used as long as it is solid and transmits visible light and absorbs infrared light. It has the advantage that the infrared light intensity can be reduced even if the body length is shortened, and the advantage that the price is low and the product price can be reduced. The acrylic resin, the ABS resin, the polystyrene resin, the polyethylene terephthalate resin, and the polycarbonate resin all have the advantage of being able to confirm brighter light emission at the end face of the support because of high transmittance of visible light. Further, the polyester resin can be molded by curing a liquid resin using a curing agent, and thus has a characteristic of being excellent in workability. On the other hand, glass has an advantage that a waveguide support having an arbitrary infrared absorptance can be formed by adjusting the component composition.

[0014] It is used for the infrared-visible conversion unit 2 of this configuration example.
Is an infrared stimulable phosphor. Infrared stimulable phosphor has emission intensity
Changes in proportion to approximately the first power of the incident infrared light intensity,
For infrared light with high minimum detection sensitivity but strong intensity
It has the disadvantage of being dark. Therefore, high intensity infrared
For use in photodetection, wavelength-upconverting phosphors are
In order to detect low infrared light, infrared stimulus with high detection sensitivity
It is better to use a phosphor. Among infrared stimulable phosphors,
Mainly sulfide or selenide of alkaline earth metal
Infrared stimulable phosphor has high detection sensitivity and is weak
Ideal for infrared light detection. Also, the form is ceramic
It is preferably a boxy infrared stimulable phosphor. Ceramics infrared
The stimulable phosphor has a high phosphor content per unit volume,
Apply the phosphor and resin mixture and dry it to
High detection sensitivity compared to when formed
is there.

In the infrared-visible conversion section, a phosphor is applied to one end of the waveguide support, or a plate in which the phosphor is fixed with a binder, or a phosphor ceramic is attached to one end of the waveguide support. It forms by doing. Among these infrared-visible conversion units, ceramics has the highest sensitivity,
Suitable for more sensitive infrared detection.

In order to use an infrared stimulable phosphor for infrared detection, it is necessary to previously irradiate the infrared stimulable phosphor with visible light to accumulate energy in the phosphor. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 1, the light shielding tube 32 is normally contracted to expose a part of the waveguide support 1 to the outside of the light shielding tube 3 and external light is introduced into the infrared-visible conversion unit 2 . Be prepared to do it. The visible light radiated from the periphery to the waveguide support 1 is transmitted through the waveguide support, guided through the waveguide support, and converted into an infrared-visible conversion unit 2.
And energy is stored in the infrared stimulable phosphor.
Therefore, there is an advantage that since the energy is always stored, there is no sensitivity reduction due to energy release, and infrared detection can always be performed with high sensitivity. On the other hand, at the time of infrared detection, as shown in FIG. 2, the light-shielding cylinder 32 is extended to cover the solid support 1, thereby preventing invasion of external light and performing infrared detection with high contrast.

According to the present invention, the red of the infrared detector body
A protective film 4 (see FIG. 3) is provided at an end of the outside-visible conversion unit 2.
Is also good. In the infrared detector shown in the specific example described above, in the case of the infrared-visible conversion section 2 in which the infrared detection phosphor is applied with powder, the protective film 4 is not provided, When detecting light, it was necessary to measure so that the optical fiber and the infrared-visible conversion unit were not directly touched. If the two are directly touched, the fluorescent substance applied to the infrared-visible conversion part is powder, and this powder may contaminate the end face of the optical fiber. In addition, since the measurement is performed by separating the two, a portion of the infrared light from the fiber may not enter the infrared-visible conversion unit but leak outside.
Since high-sensitivity measurement cannot be expected, and in the above embodiment, the infrared-visible conversion unit is directly exposed to the outside air, there is a problem in reliability. Therefore, the protective film 4 is provided on the infrared-visible conversion section, and the two are brought into direct contact with each other. The protective film 4 is desirably thin enough to allow infrared light to pass through the protective film 4 and reach the infrared-visible conversion section, and may be, for example, silicon having a thickness of 100 μm or less. .

FIG . 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
However, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the solid and visible
One end of a waveguide support that transmits light and absorbs infrared light
Infrared detector equipped with an infrared-visible conversion unit consisting of a visible-conversion phosphor
It has a sensor body, and the outer end face of the infrared-visible conversion section is red.
Red covered with a light-shielding protective film that transmits outside light and blocks visible light
Outside detection device. That is, the protective film 4 in FIG.
Is a light-shielding protective film 5 provided on the end face of the infrared-visible conversion section 2 for transmitting infrared light and shielding visible light . Infrared rays are radiated from the end face of the infrared-visible conversion section 2 opposite to the joint with the waveguide support 1 and observed from the end face of the waveguide support 1. When observed under bright light, detection is performed from the incident direction of infrared rays. to also incident ambient visible light with should do infrared, the visible light is scattered in the infrared visible conversion unit, to brighten up the infrared visible conversion unit, the effective contrast of the light generated by the infrared visible conversion decreases The detection sensitivity decreases. For this reason, the end surface of the infrared-visible conversion unit 2 is covered with the light-shielding protective film 5 that transmits infrared light and shields visible light. By providing such a light-shielding protective film 5, since infrared light is transmitted and visible light is blocked, only the infrared light is irradiated to the infrared-visible conversion unit 2, and surrounding visible light is blocked. Because it is not illuminated, the infrared-visible converter is not illuminated by ambient light,
The contrast of the light generated by the infrared-visible conversion increases, the infrared-visible conversion light can be observed well, and the effective detection sensitivity increases.

[0019] In a specific example of the second invention according to the present invention,
And an infrared-visible conversion phosphor used in the infrared-visible conversion unit 2.
Is the wavelength up-converting phosphor, described in the first embodiment above.
Any of infrared stimulable phosphors may be used. Up-converting phosphor
Is possible in proportion to the square or the cube of the incident infrared intensity.
Emission intensity for weak infrared light because the intensity of visual light changes
Is low, but a strong luminous intensity can be obtained with high-intensity infrared light.
It is. Also, unlike infrared stimulable phosphors, the need for preliminary excitation
The advantage is that it is possible to detect infrared rays continuously.
There is a point. As such a wavelength-upconverting phosphor, only
For example, Erbium or Dysprosium and Erbium
Wavelength-upconverting phosphor Can be.

[0020] According to the second aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG.
As shown, it is a solid waveguide that transmits visible light and absorbs infrared light.
It has a support 1 and an infrared-visible conversion section 2, and further has an infrared-visible
Infrared detector provided with light-shielding protective film 5 at the end of conversion unit 2
Next, a light-shielding tube 3 having a hollow light-shielding property and having openings at both ends is provided.
Can be provided. Infrared detector in light-shielding light-shielding cylinder 3
Therefore, because it is covered, ambient light does not hit the detection unit,
Therefore, high-contrast light emission detection can be performed. This
High detection sensitivity even in infrared detection work under bright light
It has the advantage that the degree can be maintained.

[0021] will be described excitation method of the present invention.

It is not necessary to excite the phosphor when the infrared-visible conversion unit is a wavelength-upconverting phosphor, but it is necessary to excite it when it is a stimulable phosphor. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a general excitation method. As is clear from this figure, visible light is irradiated from the end face of the waveguide support 1 where the infrared-visible conversion section 2 is not provided. to excite the accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent. As shown in FIG.
It is hard to excitation light incident on the infrared visible conversion unit when the Suyo covered with shielding tube 3 of the light-shielding property, thus
According to the excitation method of No. 6, the infrared-visible conversion section can be sufficiently excited.

[0023] While FIG. 7 is a method for exciting by that infrared detectors to the present invention, in the FIG. 7 by the excitation method, the entire peripheral surface of the waveguide of the support 1, and required if any excitation from the end face Light is incident on the waveguide support 1, and excitation light propagates inside the waveguide support 1 as if it were an optical fiber to excite the infrared-visible conversion unit 2. That is, the light refracted from the side face of the waveguide support and reflected enters the waveguide support and reaches the infrared-visible conversion section. Therefore, the waveguide support played a role of an antenna for collecting the excitation light, and it was possible to sufficiently excite the infrared-visible conversion section even with weak excitation light.

Next red using the infrared detector of the present invention
The outside detection method will be described. Infrared-visible conversion part 2 of infrared detector
A case where when an infrared visible conversion phosphor powder provided by coating or the like, and is not provided with protective film 4 to light blocking protective film 5 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, 8, 9 As shown in the figure, an emission source (for example, an optical fiber) 6 of the test light is provided at a position close to the end face of the infrared-visible conversion section 2 provided at one end of the waveguide support 1, The presence or absence of light emission of the infrared-visible conversion unit 2 is confirmed by looking through the other end surface of the support 1. In this case, when detecting infrared light as described above, it is necessary to perform measurement so that the optical fiber 6 and the infrared-visible conversion unit 2 do not directly touch each other. This is because if the two are directly touched, the phosphor coated on the infrared-visible conversion section is a powder, and this powder may contaminate the end face of the optical fiber.

As shown in FIG . 3 and FIG.
In the case where a protective film 4 or a light-shielding protective film 5 is provided in FIG.
10, an emission source (for example, an optical fiber) 6 of test light is provided in contact with an end surface of the infrared-visible conversion unit 2 provided at one end of the waveguide support 1 as shown in FIG. The presence or absence of light emission of the infrared-visible conversion unit 2 is confirmed by looking through the other end surface of the waveguide support 1. In this case, the optical fiber 6 and the infrared-visible conversion unit 2 are in contact with each other via the protective film 4 or the light-shielding protective film 5 and do not directly contact with each other. Since the infrared-visible conversion unit 2 and the optical fiber 6 are directly connected and measured, there is no possibility that a part of the infrared light from the fiber does not enter the infrared-visible conversion unit and leaks to the outside. High measurements are taken.
Further, since the infrared-visible conversion section is directly exposed to the outside air, reliability is improved.

In each of the above-described measuring methods, the case where the light shielding tube 3 is provided has been described. However, it is apparent that the same applies to the case where the light shielding tube 3 is not provided.

[0027]

[Reference Example 1] The infrared detector body shown in Fig. 12 is solid and visible
Waveguide support 1 that transmits light and absorbs infrared light and infrared-visible
And a conversion unit 2. From an infrared light source in a narrow space
Is detected using the infrared detector body shown in FIG.
For this purpose, the infrared-visible conversion unit 2 is brought close to the infrared light source,
The light is converted into visible light by the infrared-visible Holding
The light guided inside the body 1 is transmitted from one end of the waveguide support 1
Peep and check the light emission. Reduce the thickness of this support
If it is large enough to be inserted into a
The detector can be inserted and installed close to the infrared light source.
Irradiate more infrared light to the infrared detector
And high infrared-visible conversion efficiency can be obtained. Ma
In addition, visible light is efficiently guided inside the waveguide support,
Emission can be confirmed efficiently to reach the surface
You. On the other hand, the infrared light applied to the infrared-visible conversion
Since the light is absorbed and scattered by the visual conversion unit 2, the waveguide support
The intensity of the infrared light that reaches
Furthermore, it is absorbed in the waveguide support 1 that absorbs infrared light.
Has the advantage of not causing visual impairment to the eyes
You.

[0028] Polypropylene tree as waveguide support 1
Fat, acrylic resin, ABS resin, polystyrene resin,
Polyethylene terephthalate resin, polycarbonate tree
Infrared-visible conversion unit using fat, polyester resin, and glass
Up conversion of erbium (Er) added wavelength as phosphor 2
Infrared detector body using phosphor (with light-shielding protective film formed
Not. 12) will be described.

As the waveguide support 1, solid polypropylene resin, acrylic resin, ABS resin, polystyrene resin having an outer diameter of 5 mm and a length of 15 cm, both ends of which are flattened,
A round rod made of polyethylene terephthalate resin, polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, or glass was used. One end of the solid round bar was mixed with an erbium (Er) -added wavelength-upconverting phosphor powder and a resin, followed by coating and drying to form an infrared-visible converter 2.

Using this infrared detector body , a wavelength of 1.5
A failure test of a 5 μm optical communication light source was performed. Usually, this type of light source uses an optical connector as an optical output terminal, and the optical output end is about 1 cm inside from the tip of the connector.
It exists where the degree is. Since the infrared light emitted from the light output end is radiated to the outside while being diffused, the light intensity per unit area is weaker at the tip of the optical connector than at the light output end. When performing inspection using a conventional infrared detector, it is not possible to perform inspection by looking in the direction perpendicular to the infrared light traveling direction. It is necessary to receive external light. For this reason, the intensity of the infrared light reaching the infrared-visible conversion unit was even weaker, and light emission could not be detected despite the irradiation of the infrared light.

On the other hand, when performs fault detection by using the infrared detector body of the infrared detector body infrared visible
The conversion section 2 was inserted into the light output connector terminal section, and the presence or absence of light emission of the infrared detection section was checked from the other end of the optical waveguide support 1. In this case, since the infrared detection section is inserted into the connector and the infrared-visible conversion section 2 is installed at a position close to the light output end, the intensity is higher than in the case of using the conventional infrared detector. Irradiating the infrared detecting section with the infrared light, brighter light emission was obtained. If the semiconductor laser in the light source operates normally and inspects the terminal that emits infrared light,
It was clearly confirmed that bright green light was emitted and infrared light output was emitted.

On the other hand, when the semiconductor laser in the light source has examined the failed pin that is not out infrared light output, the infrared detection unit does not emit light, can be clearly confirmed that no out infrared light output Thus, the presence or absence of a failure could be easily and clearly determined. When the intensity of the infrared light reaching the end face of the waveguide support 1 was inspected by an infrared detector using a semiconductor detector, the infrared light incident on the infrared-visible conversion unit 2 was detected in any case. The intensity was attenuated to 1/100 or less, and it was confirmed that the intensity was sufficiently attenuated so as not to cause visual impairment.

[0033]

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 2 In FIG . 12, an acrylic resin was used as the waveguide support 1, and an infrared stimulable phosphor mainly containing alkaline earth sulfide was used as the phosphor of the infrared-visible conversion section 2 . The infrared detector body (having no light-shielding protective film) will be described.

As the waveguide support 1, a round bar made of a solid acrylic resin having an outer diameter of 5 mm and a length of 15 cm, both ends of which are flattened, was used. One end of this acrylic round bar was mixed with an infrared stimulable phosphor powder and a resin, coated and dried to form an infrared-visible conversion section 2. In the present reference example , the infrared-visible conversion section is formed by a process of only applying and drying the powder phosphor and the resin mixture, and thus has an advantage that the process is simple and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

As the infrared stimulable phosphor, CaS: Eu,
Sm, CaS: Ce, Sm, CaSe: Eu, Sm, C
aSe: Ce, Sm, SrS: Eu, Sm, SrS: C
e, Sm, SrSe: Eu, Sm, SrSe: Ce, S
One of eight kinds of phosphors of m or a mixture thereof was used. Since the infrared wavelength sensitivity characteristics and emission colors of these phosphors are different from each other, it is necessary to select an optimum phosphor according to the application. The main components are CaS, CaSe, and S, respectively.
In the case of rS or SrSe, the infrared wavelength sensitivity characteristic changes from a long wavelength to a short wavelength. Therefore, the wavelength 1.55 μm
When detecting infrared rays, a phosphor containing CaS as a main component is used. When detecting infrared rays having a wavelength of 0.8 μm, Ca is used.
A phosphor containing Se, SrS, and SrSe as main components is selected. CaS: Eu, Sm is red, CaS: Ce, Sm,
CaSe: Eu, Sm, SrS: Eu, Sm, SrS
e: Eu, Sm are orange, CaSe: Ce, Sm,
SrS: Ce, Sm are green, SrSe: Ce, S
m emits blue light. Since the visibility of human eyes has a peak in green, it is preferable to use two types of CaSe: Ce, Sm and SrS: Ce, Sm which emit green light in order to enhance visibility. Among the above-mentioned infrared stimulable phosphors, C
aS: Eu, Sm has the highest infrared-visible conversion efficiency, has sensitivity to extremely weak infrared light, and has a wavelength of 1.3 μm.
Since it has sensitivity to infrared light of m and 1.55 μm, it is suitable for detecting weak light such as signal light used in optical communication and the like.

When infrared light was detected using these infrared detector bodies , bright light emission could be detected at the end face of the waveguide support 1. The intensity of the infrared light reaching the end face of the waveguide support 1 was examined by an infrared detector using a semiconductor detector. In any case, the intensity of the infrared light incident on the infrared-visible conversion unit 2 was measured. It was confirmed that the attenuation was 1/100 or less, and that the attenuation was sufficient to cause no visual impairment.

[0037]

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 3 In FIG . 12 , an infrared detector body (light-shielding preservation) using a polyester resin as a waveguide support 1 and an infrared stimulable phosphor ceramic as an infrared-visible conversion section 2 is shown.
(No protective film is formed) .

As the waveguide support 1, a round bar made of a solid polyester resin and having an outer diameter of 5 mm and a length of 15 cm having both ends flattened was used. An infrared stimulable phosphor ceramic processed into a disk shape was attached to one end of this polyester round bar to form an infrared-visible conversion section 2. The ceramic-like infrared stimulable phosphor used in the infrared-visible conversion section in this reference example has a high phosphor content per unit volume, and the infrared-visible conversion section was formed by coating and drying a powdered phosphor and a resin mixture. There is an advantage that higher infrared detection sensitivity can be obtained compared to the case of Reference Example 2 . When infrared detection was performed using this infrared detector, infrared sensitivity was obtained which was one digit higher than that in Reference Example 2 . In addition, the infrared-visible conversion section 2 using a ceramic-like infrared stimulable phosphor has a higher phosphor content than the case of powder coating and thus has a larger infrared absorption. Is lower than that of Example 2, and it was confirmed that the safety was higher.

[0039]

In Reference Example 4] 5, the polyester resin used as the waveguiding substrate 1, the infrared detector body using infrared accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent ceramics as an IR visible light conversion unit 2, a hollow aluminum as the light-shielding tube 3 for it will be described as an example in which covered the manufactured tube (but not forming a light blocking protective film).

As the waveguide support 1, a round bar made of a solid polyester resin and having an outer diameter of 5 mm and a length of 15 cm, both ends of which were flattened, was used. An infrared stimulable phosphor ceramic processed into a disk shape was attached to one end of this polyester round bar to form an infrared-visible conversion section 2. 5 m inner diameter as light-shielding cylinder 3
Using a hollow aluminum cylinder with a length of 16 cm, a round rod made of polyester with infrared stimulable phosphor ceramics attached was inserted into the light-shielding cylinder to produce an infrared detector. The polyester round bar was inserted so that the infrared-visible conversion portion was located inside the cylinder, and one end of the side on which the infrared-visible conversion portion was not attached and one end of the hollow cylindrical opening were aligned. Using this infrared detector, 1.3 μm infrared light emitted from the optical fiber connector was detected.

In the detection, the fiber connector is inserted into the opening of the detector so as not to come into contact with the infrared-visible conversion section ( see FIG. 9), and the presence or absence of light emission through the end opposite to the infrared detection section is checked. It was confirmed (see FIG. 8) . Since the external light is blocked by the light-shielding tube 3, the contrast of the light-emitting portion is high, and the light-emitting portion can be clearly confirmed even under room light. It is clear that the detector of the present invention is suitable for detection under bright light.

[0042]

Embodiment 1 In FIG . 1, a polyester resin is used as a waveguide support 1, an infrared detector body of infrared stimulable phosphor ceramics is used as an infrared-visible conversion unit 2, and a hollow aluminum An example using a cylinder will be described.

As the waveguide support 1, a round bar made of a solid polyester resin and having an outer diameter of 5 mm and a length of 15 cm with both ends flattened was used. An infrared stimulable phosphor ceramic processed into a disk shape was attached to one end of this polyester round bar to form an infrared-visible conversion section 2. 5 m inner diameter as light-shielding cylinder 3
Using a hollow aluminum cylinder with a length of 16 cm, a round rod made of polyester with infrared stimulable phosphor ceramics attached was inserted into the light-shielding cylinder to produce an infrared detector.

The round rod made of polyester was inserted so that the infrared-visible conversion portion was located inside the cylinder, and one end of the side on which the infrared-visible conversion portion was not attached was aligned with one end of the hollow cylindrical opening. Using this infrared detector, 1.3 μm infrared light emitted from the optical fiber connector was detected. Detection In inserts the fiber connector so as not to contact the infrared visible conversion unit (see FIG. 9) to the detector aperture, to confirm the presence or absence of light emission peeping from the end opposite the infrared detecting part ( Figure
8) . Since the external light is blocked by the light-shielding tube 3, the contrast of the light-emitting portion is high, and the light-emitting portion can be clearly confirmed even under room light. It is clear that the detector of the present invention is suitable for detection under bright light.

[0045] In yet detector of the present invention, the detection order is always in a state in which energy to the phosphor are accumulated for external light is irradiated in the infrared visible conversion unit 2 through a conventional real waveguiding substrate in 1 Therefore, it is not necessary to irradiate the infrared detection unit with light prior to the operation, which is convenient.

[0046]

[Embodiment 2] In the above embodiment, when infrared light is detected, it is necessary to perform measurement so that the optical fiber and the infrared-visible conversion unit are not in direct contact with each other. If they come into direct contact with each other, the shape of the phosphor applied to the infrared-visible conversion part is powder, and this powder may contaminate the end face of the optical fiber. In addition, since the measurement is performed by separating the two, a part of the infrared light from the fiber may not enter the infrared-visible conversion unit and leak to the outside, and high-sensitivity measurement cannot be expected. In the example, since the infrared-visible conversion unit is directly exposed to the outside air, there is a problem in reliability. Therefore, a protective film is provided on the infrared-visible conversion section, and both are brought into direct contact with each other.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, a further two-component curable polyester resin red <br/> outside the detection body prepared in Reference Example 2 was applied to one end of the infrared visible conversion unit producing the protective film 4 did. The thickness of the protective film was about 100 μm, and was thin enough for infrared light from an optical fiber to pass through the protective film and reach the infrared-visible conversion section. As the protective film, one that transmits infrared light, for example, silicon or the like may be used, but even a protective film that partially absorbs infrared light has a thickness of 100 μm as described above.
If it is less than m, it is thin enough to allow infrared light from the optical fiber to pass through the protective film and reach the infrared-visible conversion section, which is sufficient for the purpose of the present invention.

The infrared light was inspected using the infrared detector provided with the protective film thus produced. About the inspection method
This will be described with reference to FIGS. The infrared-visible conversion section 2 was brought into contact with the end face of the optical fiber in the optical connector or the like via the protective film prepared above. When visually observed from the other side of the waveguide support 1, light converted to visible light could be observed. When the optical fiber and the infrared detector were observed at a distance from each other, the intensity of the visible light changed due to the distance between the optical fiber and the infrared-visible conversion unit, making it difficult to observe. The light was stable and could be easily observed. After the observation, the state of contamination of the end face of the optical fiber was observed. No contamination was observed, and it was found that the protective film was effective.

[0049]

Reference Example 5 An infrared detector body was manufactured using a wavelength-upconverting phosphor as an infrared-visible conversion section. When this wavelength-upconverting phosphor is used, brighter light is obtained as compared with the infrared stimulable phosphor when detecting high-intensity infrared light. Since there is no need for excitation, there is an advantage that infrared detection can be performed continuously.

Composition : 75% of barium chloride and 25% of erbium chloride were converted to a wavelength-upconverting phosphor with a polyester resin, followed by coating and drying to form an infrared-visible conversion section comprising an erbium-doped wavelength-upconverting phosphor. .

Has sensitivity to infrared light of 1.5 μm,
When irradiated with infrared light, bright green light was emitted. 1m
Irradiation with W infrared light resulted in an emission intensity five times that of the infrared stimulable phosphor.

[0052] Further , dysprosium and erbium were added by mixing a polyester resin with a wavelength-upconverting phosphor of 80% barium chloride, 10% dysprosium chloride, and 10% erbium chloride, followed by coating and drying. An infrared-visible conversion portion of the wavelength-upconverting phosphor was formed.

It has sensitivity to 1.3 μm infrared light and emits bright yellow light when irradiated with infrared light. 1mW
Irradiation of the infrared light resulted in emission intensity twice that of the infrared stimulable phosphor.

[0054]

Embodiment 3 It is not necessary to excite the phosphor when the infrared-visible conversion unit is a wavelength-upconverting phosphor, but it is necessary to excite it when it is a stimulable phosphor. The excitation method will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6 , visible light is irradiated from the end face of the waveguide support where the infrared-visible conversion section is not provided to excite it. Figure
Although it is difficult to enter the excitation light into the infrared-visible conversion unit when the infrared-visible conversion unit is covered with the light-shielding light-shielding tube 3 as shown in FIG. 5 , the excitation method shown in FIG. can do.

In the excitation method according to the invention according to FIG.
If there is a light-shielding tube such as 5 , the light-shielding tube 3 is removed to excite. In the pumping method shown in FIG. 7, the excitation light is incident on the waveguide support from the entire peripheral surface of the waveguide support and, if necessary, from the end face, and the inside of the waveguide support is made as if by an optical fiber. As described above, the excitation light propagates to excite the infrared-visible conversion unit. Therefore, the waveguide support played a role of an antenna for collecting the excitation light, and it was possible to sufficiently excite the infrared-visible conversion section even with weak excitation light.

[0056]

Embodiment 4 Reference Examples 1-3 Infrared detector made byBody
Further, a light-shielding protective film 5 was further provided.Light-shielding protective filmage
From 200μm thick Si wafer into a specified shape
Of the infrared detectors manufactured in Examples 1 to 3
For infrared-visible conversion unit (CaS: Eu, Sm)FIG.As
The Si single crystal cut from the Si wafer is
It can match the refractive index developed for mixed adhesives and optical devices.
Using an epoxy resin adhesive. Light-shielding protective film
1.3 μm and 1.55 μm as compared with the case where 5 is not used
, An order of magnitude higher sensitivity was obtained. Sa
In addition, it was covered with a light-shielding hollow cylinder and inspected for infrared light.
Of course, no visible light is incident on the waveguide support,
Improved.

The provision of such a light-shielding protective film 5 allows infrared light to pass therethrough and shields visible light. Since the light is shielded and not irradiated, the infrared-visible conversion unit is not illuminated by ambient light, and the contrast of light (light-emitting point 7, dark portion 8; see FIG. 13) generated by the infrared-visible conversion is increased, thereby improving the contrast. Infrared-visible conversion light can be observed,
The effective detection sensitivity increases.

In the reference examples 1 to 3 , the shape of the waveguide support is a round bar, but may be a square or a polygon.

[0059]

As described above, by using the infrared detector according to the present invention as an infrared detector, the problems of the prior art can be solved and infrared detection in a narrow portion can be achieved. Infrared detector that enables infrared detection under bright light, easy excitation method
Could it to provide.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a third specific example of the infrared detector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an excitation method of the specific example.
FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a specific example of the infrared detector main body of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a specific example of the infrared detector according to the second invention of the present invention.
Area view.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a third specific example of the infrared detector of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a method of exciting an infrared stimulable phosphor.
FIG.

FIG. 7 The example of the excitation method of the infrared stimulable phosphor of the present invention is shown.
FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an infrared detection method.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing a connection state of the optical fiber shown in the explanatory view
FIG.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing another example of the infrared detection method.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing the connection state of the optical fibers in the above-mentioned explanatory drawing
Large figure.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a specific example of an infrared detector main body.

FIG. 13 is a view from the end face of the waveguide support in the ninth embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a connection state when the user is in the state.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wave-guide support 2 Infrared-visible conversion part 3 Shielding tube 4 Protective film 5 Shielding protective film 6 Optical fiber 7 Light emission point 8 Dark part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-59-53019 (JP, A) JP-A-61-44331 (JP, A) JP-A-1-105132 (JP, A) JP-A-5-305 99744 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model 1-85644 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01J 1/00-1/60

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A guide which is solid and transmits visible light and absorbs infrared light.
Infrared-visible conversion phosphor at one end of the corrugated support
Having an infrared detector main body with a visual conversion unit, The infrared-visible conversion phosphor is an infrared stimulable phosphor, The infrared detector main body is hollow light-shielding and has openings at both ends.
And the light-shielding cylinder
It consists of at least two light-shielding tubes, at least one of which is guided.
The light-shielding cylinder extends by moving in the longitudinal direction of the outer periphery of the support.
When shrinking and extending, all of the waveguide support is shielded from light,
Sometimes, only part of the waveguide support is shielded from light.
Infrared detector. 2. A light guide which is solid and transmits visible light and absorbs infrared light.
Infrared-visible conversion phosphor at one end of the corrugated support
Having an infrared detector main body with a visual conversion unit, The outer end face of the infrared-visible conversion section transmits infrared light and is visible.
Red covered with a light-shielding protective film that blocks light
Outside detector. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the waveguide support is a polypropylene resin,
Acrylic resin, ABS resin, polystyrene resin, polyether
Tylene terephthalate resin, polycarbonate resin,
It is characterized by being either ester resin or glass
The infrared detector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the infrared-visible conversion phosphor is an alkaline earth gold.
Stimulant based on sulfides or selenides of the genus
4. A phosphor according to claim 1, wherein the phosphor is a phosphor.
2. The infrared detector according to claim 1. 5. The infrared-visible conversion phosphor is erbium.
Above the wavelength where dysprosium and erbium are added
The infrared ray according to claim 2, which is a conversion phosphor.
Detector. 6. An outer end face of the infrared-visible conversion section is covered with a protective film.
The infrared detector according to claim 1, wherein the infrared detector is covered. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the protective film is a light-shielding protective film.
7. The infrared detector according to claim 6, wherein 8. The infrared detector main body has a hollow light-shielding property and
It is included in a light-shielding cylinder with an opening at the end.
The infrared detector according to claim 2. 9. A guide which is solid and transmits visible light and absorbs infrared light.
Infrared-Visible Transformation with Infrared Stimulable Phosphor at One End of Wavy Support
An excitation method of an infrared detector having a replacement part, Visible light is incident from all around the waveguide support,
Visible light propagates through the waveguide support to convert the infrared to visible light
And a method for exciting an infrared detector.