QWIPs are keeping their promises

S. Smuk; R. Ivanov; D. Evans; S. Sehlin; W. Diel; S. Hellström; L. Höglund; A. Smuk; E. Costard

doi:10.1117/12.2518650

7 May 2019 QWIPs are keeping their promises

S. Smuk, R. Ivanov, D. Evans, S. Sehlin, W. Diel, S. Hellström, L. Höglund, A. Smuk, E. Costard

Proceedings Volume 11002, Infrared Technology and Applications XLV; 110021Y (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2518650
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2019, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

In this paper we demonstrate how the QWIPs are keeping all their promises in terms of performance, versatility and cost, partly thanks to excellent uniformity, stability and manufacturability, as well as the flexibility of tailoring both the detection wavelength and the polarization sensitivity. Thanks to the intrinsic uniformity and stability of the III-V technology combined with the process maturity at IRnova, high resolution (VGA format, 15 µm pitch) QWIPs are now integrated in compact Integrated Detector Dewar Cooler Assemblies (IDDCAs). For regular high-end thermography applications, these IDDCAs operate with moderate 500 mW cryocoolers, which opens the field for handheld cameras. Thanks to the band gap engineering, the detector’s spectral response can be tailored and optimized for different wavelength ranges. In addition to the 8.5 µm QWIP, which is optimized for thermal imaging, a QWIP with 10.5 µm peak wavelength has been tailored for detection of harmful gases, such as SF6. The performance of high resolution QWIPs with peak detection at 10.5 µm integrated in IDDCAs is demonstrated showing the impact of high sensitivity and high resolution on the image quality. Thanks to the intrinsic sensitivity of QWIP to the polarization of the light it is possible to complement the thermal information with polarimetric information. This opens new possibilities for detection of certain features such as oil spill and de-camouflage. In this paper we demonstrate the high polarimetric contrast obtained with our 320×256 polarimetric IDDCA.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

S. Smuk, R. Ivanov, D. Evans, S. Sehlin, W. Diel, S. Hellström, L. Höglund, A. Smuk, and E. Costard "QWIPs are keeping their promises", Proc. SPIE 11002, Infrared Technology and Applications XLV, 110021Y (7 May 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2518650

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available