Wavelength-conversion system with a heated or cooled wavelength-conversion target

1. A wavelength-conversion system comprising:

a wavelength-conversion target that radiates an energy output of an output-energy wavelength when an energy input of an input-energy wavelength is incident upon the wavelength-conversion target;

a target baseline temperature modifier for the wavelength-conversion target, wherein the target baseline temperature modifier either controllably heats or controllably cools the wavelength-conversion target independently of any heating or cooling effect of the energy input or the energy output; and

a detector positioned so that the energy output of the output-energy wavelength emitted from the wavelength-conversion target is incident upon the detector;

wherein the wavelength-conversion target radiates an infra-red energy output of an infra-red output-energy wavelength when the energy input is incident upon the wavelength-conversion target.

2. A wavelength-conversion system comprising:

a wavelength-conversion target that radiates an energy output of an output-energy wavelength when an energy input of an input-energy wavelength is incident upon the wavelength-conversion target;

a target baseline temperature modifier for the wavelength-conversion target, wherein the target baseline temperature modifier either controllably heats or controllably cools the wavelength-conversion target independently of any heating or cooling effect of the energy input or the energy output; and

a detector positioned so that the energy output of the output-energy wavelength emitted from the wavelength-conversion target is incident upon the detector;

wherein the wavelength-conversion target is made of ceramic.

3. A wavelength-conversion system comprising:

a wavelength-conversion target that radiates an energy output of an output-energy wavelength when an energy input of an input-energy wavelength is incident upon the wavelength-conversion target;

a target baseline temperature modifier for the wavelength-conversion target, wherein the target baseline temperature modifier either controllably heats or controllably cools the wavelength-conversion target independently of any heating or cooling effect of the energy input or the energy output; and

a detector positioned so that the energy output of the output-energy wavelength emitted from the wavelength-conversion target is incident upon the detector;

wherein the detector is an infra-red detector.

4. The wavelength-conversion system of claim 3 , wherein the detector converts energy of the output-energy wavelength into an electrical signal.

5. The wavelength-conversion system of claim 3 , wherein the wavelength-conversion system further includes an input structure that directs the energy input of the input-energy wavelength to be incident upon the wavelength-conversion target.

6. The wavelength-conversion system of claim 3 , wherein the wavelength-conversion system further includes an input structure that directs the energy input of the input-energy wavelength to be incident upon the wavelength-conversion target, and wherein the input structure comprises an input mirror that focuses the energy input upon the wavelength-conversion target.

7. The wavelength-conversion system of claim 3 , wherein the wavelength-conversion system further includes an input structure that directs the energy input of the input-energy wavelength to be incident upon the wavelength-conversion target, and wherein the input structure comprises a parabolic mirror that focuses the energy input upon the wavelength-conversion target.

8. The wavelength-conversion system of claim 3 , wherein the target baseline temperature modifier is a heater.

9. The wavelength-conversion system of claim 3 , wherein the target baseline temperature modifier is an electrical heater in contact with the wavelength-conversion target.

10. The wavelength-conversion system of claim 3 , wherein the target baseline temperature modifier is a cooler.

11. The wavelength-conversion system of claim 3 , wherein the target baseline temperature modifier is a cooling coil in contact with the wavelength-conversion target.

12. A wavelength-conversion system comprising:

a wavelength-conversion target that radiates an infra-red energy output of an infra-red output-energy wavelength when an infra-red energy input of an infra-red input-energy wavelength is incident upon the wavelength-conversion target;

an input mirror structure that directs the infra-red energy input of the infra-red input-energy wavelength to be incident upon the wavelength-conversion target;

a target baseline temperature modifier for the wavelength-conversion target, wherein the target baseline temperature modifier either controllably heats or controllably cools the wavelength-conversion target independently of any heating or cooling effect of the infra-red energy input or the infra-red energy output; and

an infra-red detector sensitive to the infra-red output-energy wavelength positioned so that the infra-red energy output of the infra-red output-energy wavelength emitted from the wavelength-conversion target is incident upon the detector.

13. The wavelength-conversion system of claim 12 , wherein the input mirror structure comprises a parabolic mirror that focuses the energy input upon the wavelength-conversion target.

14. The wavelength-conversion system of claim 12 , wherein the target baseline temperature modifier is a heater.

15. The wavelength-conversion system of claim 12 , wherein the target baseline temperature is a cooler.