Low Power Infrared Imaging Sensors

Purpose and goal:

The two main objectives of the project were to demonstrate IR image sensors that can be used at a higher operating temperature than current technology to reduce their power consumption and to enable enhanced image resolution for these sensors (HD resolution).

This has been achieved by developing a sensor based on type-II superlattice material (T2SL) that can be used at operating temperatures up to 130 -150 K with maintained state-of-the-art performance, and which does not degrade as the pixel size is reduced, which is a prerequisite for large and compact image sensors.

Expected results and effects:

- IR sensors with outstanding performances have been developed in the project, with a thermal sensitivity of 21 mK for operating temperatures all the way up to 150 K. - The power consumption for cooling of the sensors was reduced by more than 35%. - HD readiness of the T2SL technology has triggered release of new HD products

- Compact and light-weight IR-cameras based on this sensor technology have been demonstrated.

This will significantly increase the competitiveness of these Swedish made IR-sensors and will open up for new applications where low size, weight and power consumption is key. Approach and implementation:

The project results have been achieved and demonstrated efficiently thanks to collaboration between many different partners along the IR value chain: - IRnova has developed the detector design and manufacturing processes for these sensors - Noxant has developed a compact camera in which these sensors have been integrated

- Three end users have evaluated the camera in both lab environment and in land/air field tests when mounted on a car and a drone.

Furthermore, fruitful collaboration between IRnova and KTH with a joint PhD student has led to profound understanding of this technology.