A Near-Perfect Blackbody Calibration Target

Researchers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory have developed a robust alternative to the blackbody targets typically used to calibrate optical/thermal imaging systems. Typically, blackbody targets are formed via additive processes (e.g., high-emissivity paint, carbon nano tubes). JPL’s innovation utilizes highly doped black silicon formed via inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching at cryogenic temperatures (i.e., a subtractive process), providing an ultrahigh-emissivity surface.