The imaging array of the present invention (and the signals produced therefrom) can be used in many applications. For example, it can be used to perform imaging operations over nanosecond to millisecond time increments (due to the high speed of response of the QDs of the device structure) together with accumulation of charge and readout functionality for each imaging cell as an integral part of the imaging array. Moreover, the imaging array is capable of imaging by top side illumination (through the side opposite the substrate) and thus can avoid the costly thinning of substrates required for backside illuminated imaging. Furthermore, the imaging array is expected to operate efficiently at or near room temperatures and thus does not require complex cooling systems typically provided by dewar cooler assemblies. Moreover, the imaging array can be part of a wide array of imaging architectures, such as interline-transfer CCD architectures and frame-transfer CCD architectures. Moreover, the imaging array can readily be adapted to image wavelengths over a broad spectrum of wavelengths (including mid-infrared wavelengths as well as long-infrared wavelengths). Moreover, the imaging array of the present invention can be efficiently integrated with a broad range of optical and electronic devices, for example to provide an integrated array together with associated optoelectronics and/or logic circuits and/or signal processing circuits.

(the highlight above)These are the coolers that are used for those bulky night vision googles that the military uses.

http://www.flir.com/cores/display/?id=51941