For anyone interested, the scene measurement shown in One of the pictures just added to the evidence that the FFC shutter was sitting across the Microbolometer in a semi deployed position. The microbolometer is measuring the temperature of the plastic FFC flag and the reading is sensible. As such the microbolometer is working as it should. There is a shape to the ‘blank’ area that if you study it, matches the shape of a partially deployed Seek Reveal FFC shutter
If the microbolometer had been the cause of the fault we would have seen different symptoms that can include, but are not limited to :
Dead pixels scattered around the area of failure
Dead rows and/or columns in the area of damage
An area of differing thermal response where damage has occurred, but not not total ‘blindness’
Incorrect temperature measurements when the spot temperature cross hair enters the area of damage.
An area of high noise and digital garbage where damage has occurred
A whole section of the microbolometer not functioning at all. It would correlate with rows and columns and have straight edges as a result. No meaningful measurements would come from within that ‘dead’ area.
A relatively small area of ‘blindness’ caused by a damage event or contamination on the microbolometer window.
Complete microbolometer or ROIC failure resulting in no thermal image displayed.
Fraser