LED Detection Range with Night Vision Goggles?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the detection capabilities of LED wavelengths by Generation 3 ANVIS9 night vision goggles (NVGs), specifically focusing on the optimization range of 600-900 nm. Participants explore the relationship between LED color temperature (measured in Kelvin) and the visible spectrum, seeking to create a visual representation for better understanding.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the possibility of creating a chart that correlates the visible spectrum (400-900 nm) with color temperature in Kelvin for easier comprehension.
  • Another participant suggests that the inquiry likely pertains to 'white' LEDs, noting that different types emit light across various parts of the spectrum, with lower Kelvin numbers indicating a redder appearance.
  • A later reply provides a link to a resource that includes a graph of irradiance over the electromagnetic spectrum against absolute temperature, mentioning that LEDs aim to mimic a black body spectrum at a designated temperature.
  • It is noted that the spectrum of the specific LED and the frequency response of the NVG detector are crucial for accurate detection capability assessments.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and clarity regarding the relationship between LED specifications and NVG detection capabilities. There is no consensus on the best way to visualize this information or the specific details needed for a comprehensive answer.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of LED spectra and the variability among manufacturers, which may complicate the creation of a generalized chart. The discussion highlights the need for specific spectral data to draw meaningful conclusions about detection capabilities.

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TL;DR
Looking for info on LED lighting detection by Gen 3, anvis9 NVGs and others.
Hi:
Non-physicist here doing some research into detection ability of LED wavelengths by Gen3 anvis9 NVG. Have found that these NVG's optimize 600-900nm. Since LED are sold and measured in K, the conversion is not directly evident to me.
Is it possible to create a chart that might show where the roughly 400-900 nm visible spectrum lies with regard to degrees K for a lay person to understand?
 
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I assume you're referring to 'white' LED's like those found in light bulbs for general illumination. These all emit light in various parts of the spectrum with each type of LED having a somewhat different spectrum. You could probably find the charts for each type with some effort, but in general, the lower the K number the redder the LED looks and the more light will be emitted in the red and orange end of the spectrum compared to the blue end.
 
r971821 said:
TL;DR Summary: Looking for info on LED lighting detection by Gen 3, anvis9 NVGs and others.

Is it possible to create a chart that might show where the roughly 400-900 nm visible spectrum lies with regard to degrees K for a lay person to understand?
Would the diagram in this link be sufficient for you? It starts with some general chat and then you get a pretty graph of irradiance over the EM spectrum against the absolute temperature. Equations follow. An LED attempts to reproduce a near enough black body spectrum at the temperature marked

LEDs vary from maker to maker and they all attempt to assign just one number to the apparent temperature. That may not be useful for you. In fact I'm not sure what you actually want to know and why.

Unless you actually know the spectrum of the LeD of interest and the frequency response of the detector then I don't think you will get an answer. But someone may have an idea.
 
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