Technology & Service

The infrared light spectrum can be divided into near infrared (NIR), short-wavelength infrared (SWIR), mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR), and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR).

On the terrestrial surface, the sunlight’s intensity, according to the wavelength, decreases as the waves move down to SWIR. Therefore, SWIR sensors have the advantage of prominently enhancing detection performance as they have low background noise.

Visible light and NIR with wavelengths of 400 nm to 1,400 nm can form images (concentrate light) at the human eye’s retina, causing risks of optic nerve damage.

In contrast, SWIR wavelengths at 1,400 nm and above are absorbed after being dispersed to the human eye’s cornea and lens, having the advantage of low retina damage risks. ☞ Eye-Safe Laser

Laser diodes that generate light can be created in various structures. Examples include the edge-emitting laser (EEL) released at the side of the chip and the surface-emitting laser emitted to the chip’s surface, which is in the vertical direction.

The most notable surface-emitting laser diodes include the vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). VCSEL comprises parts such as DBR mirrors at each side above and below the multi-quantum well (MQW) and current aperture. Along with such a simple process, the diode has the advantage of being power-scalable with the ability to create a 2D array (NxN).

INOPTIX provides short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) light-emitting diodes (LED) and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL).