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High Resolution Thermal Imaging

I doubt this is a good idea - in fact, I'm sure it's not, but the bossman begs to differ and he holds the wallet. I'm trying to measure very small spatial temperature gradients, probably somewhere between 0.001-0.01°C. The spatial resolution would also have to be fairly good, as the object I'm looking at is about 5 mm thick.

So, my question is: is there an available imaging (or other detection) system that could map out the temperature profile of the object at this miniscule resolution? The only way I can see this being possible is to use a super-cooled detector, as this would enhance the radiative heat transfer to the detector from the source. Any ideas, suggestions, or snide remarks would be greatly appreciated.
 
What is the temperature of the object? And from what distance are you trying to measure?
If it is room temperature I seriously doubt it is possible to measure gradient with that kind of precision. The spatial resolution is easier assuming you can use a scanning probe of some sort (e.g. a bolometer).

I know there are thermal imaging systems that are used to map out temperature variations in electronic circuits, the spatial resolution might be good enough but I am not sure about the precision (they are also extremely expensive and needs to be cooled).


 
Originally posted by: f95toli
What is the temperature of the object? And from what distance are you trying to measure?
If it is room temperature I seriously doubt it is possible to measure gradient with that kind of precision. The spatial resolution is easier assuming you can use a scanning probe of some sort (e.g. a bolometer).

I know there are thermal imaging systems that are used to map out temperature variations in electronic circuits, the spatial resolution might be good enough but I am not sure about the precision (they are also extremely expensive and needs to be cooled).
Yeah, I forgot to mention... We're trying to measure it at room temperature or higher (20-37°C). Lower temps will cause the tissue we're working with to do bad things for what we're trying to measure. I'll try to look for some circuit-related techniques - thanks!
 
The details could be brutally ugly; but an interesting idea presents itself: CCDs are somewhat vulnerable to thermal noise. If you could press one against the sample, keeping it at an otherwise uniform temperature, and away from light, you might be able to obtain a picture of relative temperatures over the CCD surface. I don't know enough about CCD thermal response curves and whatnot to say for sure; but it strikes me as not impossible.
 
I seriously doubt that a temperature gradient of 0.01C (or less) would affect a CCD at ambient temperature of 300 Kelvin. Maybe if you manage to cool it down to some tens of K, it would have some sensitivity
 
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