Oerlikon Optics: For The First Time, Clear Nighttime Vision on the Road

BALZERS, Liechtenstein--Safety first: The introduction of innovative night vision systems, permit carmakers to set new standards in saving drivers from critical nighttime travel situations. This advancement has been enabled by the newly developed Oerlikon Optics NightVision™. The filter offers unsurpassed performance, achieving over 90 percent efficiency of near-infrared light visible onto the car’s monitor.

The new active night vision system for road traffic, uses near-infrared (NIR) radiation, captivates both experts and potential customers. The required technical developments obtained by Oerlikon Optics were achieved in close collaboration with leading car lighting manufacturers. For the first time the Oerlikon Optics NightVision™ filter, produced via the sputtering process, allows active night vision systems with extreme radiation power to exploit the NIR wavelengths, while efficiently blocking visible light without red illumination interference. Peter Wierer, Product Line Manager OEM/Laser at Oerlikon Optics, explains: “Thanks to our new filter, NIR radiation systems can now exceed 90 percent efficiency. On the other hand, the unwanted residual light generated with infrared headlights is reduced by a factor of 1000. This allows appreciably improved reproduction of objects at nighttime.”

Car drivers are aware of a major issue while traveling dark unlit roads: While approaching a distant turn at night, and before perceiving what is ahead, they become blinded by oncoming traffic. Such situations become a thing of the past, because this new technology enables drivers to see clearly, even with dimmed headlights. The secret of these night vision systems is their infrared headlights, which illuminate the road with their infrared light. The image is then captured via an infrared camera, and reproduced in shades of gray on a display screen. The generated image represents what is seen with the high beam on. This system enables drivers to react faster under dangerous driving situations and to travel to their destinations in a more relaxed condition, even after long nighttime trips.

Near infrared (NIR) radiation systems equipped with a NightVision™ filter developed by Oerlikon Optics more than double nighttime visibility without affecting oncoming traffic by your headlights. The technology also ensures that the infrared illuminators will not be confused with taillights or stop lights, allowing the very large NIR output to achieve extremely high image quality.

Please visit us: At the Laser trade fair in Munich from the 18th - 21th of June 2007, Hall B2, Booth 424.