SWIR sensors are specialized imaging devices that detect short-wave infrared light, typically between 1.0 and 1.7µm, revealing details that conventional cameras cannot capture. Sensitive to reflected rather than emitted light, they make it possible to distinguish materials, detect moisture and see through common obstructions like dust or plastic, making them indispensable for inspection, analytics, and surveillance.
While SWIR sensors are predominantly developed on InP and GaAs, germanium substrate technology is increasingly being explored for its unique advantages, providing the crystalline quality, thermal stability and sustainability needed for consistent high performance. By combining optical sensitivity with material circularity, SWIR sensors with germanium substrate technologies will enable a deeper, smarter, and more sustainable way to analyze the world.
