Importance

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Abstract

An optical illuminator assembly (10) for locating an object (20) in inclement conditions (22) includes a MIR laser source (12) having a semiconductor laser that directly emits (without frequency conversion) an output beam (16) that is in the MIR range, the output beam (16) being useful for locating the object (20). Additionally, the optical illuminator assembly (10) can include a MIR imager (14) that captures an image (18) of light in the MIR range near the object (20). Further, the MIR imager (14) can include an image display (26) that displays the captured image (18). In a first example, the MIR laser source (12) and the MIR imager (14) are spaced apart, and the image (18) captured by the MIR imager (14) includes the output beam (16) from the MIR laser source (12). With this design, a person (28) operating a vehicle (24) will be able to locate the object 20 in inclement conditions 22. In a second example, the MIR laser source (12) and the MIR imager (14) are positioned in close proximity to each other. In this example, the image (18) captured by the MIR imager (14) includes at least a portion of the object (20) illuminated by the output beam (16) from the MIR laser source (12).

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First Claim