SWIR Camera Industry

Short-wave infrared (SWIR) imaging technology, with its unique advantages of non-destructive testing, spectral identification, and penetrating imaging, has been widely applied in many critical fields such as precision optoelectronic inspection, geological resource exploration, and semiconductor inspection. At present, the spectral response range of mainstream SWIR cameras is generally concentrated in the 900–1700 nm standard band. However, with the iteration of laser technology, the upgrading of high-end precision manufacturing, and the improvement of mineral exploration accuracy, the characteristic spectral signals and operating bands of a large number of core detection targets have broken through 1700 nm, distributed in the 1700–2200 nm range, and standard SWIR cameras are difficult to meet the detection requirements. SWIR cameras with spectral response extended to 2200 nm have become important equipment for detecting such application scenarios. I. Laser Spot Detection Laser spot quality inspection is a core process in laser research and development, production, and operation and maintenance, directly determining equipment precision and operational stability. The core operating wavelength of the new generation of holmium lasers is 2000–2100 nm. With the advantages of low thermal effect and strong penetration, they are widely used in medical fields such as urological lithotripsy and soft tissue cutting. SWIR cameras…

The core component of short-wave infrared (SWIR) imaging is the InGaAs chip, widely used in optical communications, machine vision, spectroscopic analysis, and other fields. Traditional InGaAs detectors generally have a response range of 900 nm to 1700 nm. However, applications such as laser detection, industrial material sorting, and photovoltaic quality inspection have an increasingly urgent need for detection beyond 1700 nm. AttosTek's SWIR1503CU-1.9 extended-wavelength SWIR camera extends the spectral response range to 900 nm–1900 nm, achieving stable imaging in the 1700 nm–1900 nm band. I. Why Do Traditional SWIR Cameras Only Detect Up to 1700 nm? InGaAs (Indium Gallium Arsenide) is currently the most mainstream SWIR sensor material. In a standard lattice-matched structure, InGaAs achieves lattice matching with the InP substrate, and its intrinsic absorption cutoff wavelength is approximately 1700 nm. Infrared photons with wavelengths greater than 1700 nm have insufficient energy to cross the bandgap, so the detector no longer generates photoelectric response and produces no imaging signal. Therefore, the spectral range of most standard SWIR cameras stops at 1700 nm. II. Why Can the SWIR1503CU-1.9 Camera Detect in the 1700nm-1900nm Band? 1. Adjusting Indium Composition to Extend the Cutoff Wavelength By adjusting the ratio between indium (In) and…

1. Product Introduction The SWIR1503CU‑2.2 from Beijing AttosTek Co., Ltd. is a short‑wave infrared (SWIR) industrial camera based on a high‑performance InGaAs CMOS sensor. The camera covers a spectral range of 1200–2200 nm, with a peak quantum efficiency of 70% at 1900 nm. It features 0.33 MP resolution and a 15 µm pixel size. Equipped with a USB3.0 interface, the camera achieves a maximum frame rate of 270 fps to meet real‑time imaging requirements. It incorporates a TEC cooling module providing a 70°C temperature differential, and employs a global shutter to eliminate image tearing in high‑speed dynamic scenes. The SWIR1503CU‑2.2 camera is specifically optimized for deep‑infrared applications such as moisture detection, plastic sorting, mineral analysis, and environmental monitoring. 2. Quantum‑Efficiency Plot 3. Camera Specifications ParameterSpecificationProduct ModelSWIR1503CU‑2.2Sensor TypeInGaAs CMOSSpectral Range1200 nm – 2200 nmPixel Size15 µm × 15 µmSensor Format3/4″Frame Rate & Resolution8/12/14‑bit: 270 fps @ 640 × 512Hardware Image Buffer512 MBPeak Quantum Efficiency70% @ 1900 nmConversion Gain77.8 e⁻/DN (LG), 6.6 e⁻/DN (MG), 2.0 e⁻/DN (HG)Dynamic Range71.4 dB (LG), 63.4 dB (MG), 56.2 dB (HG)Readout Noise< 50 e⁻Full Well Capacity1.21 Me⁻ (LG), 102 ke⁻ (MG), 28 ke⁻ (HG)Maximum SNR60.8 dB (LG), 50.1 dB (MG), 44.5 dB (HG)Dark Current<25 fA @ 0.1…

Short-wave infrared (SWIR) imaging technology is a core visual tool in industrial non-destructive testing, material spectroscopic analysis, laser precision detection, and scientific research. As high-end application scenarios continue to evolve, the detection range of conventional SWIR cameras can no longer meet the demands of extended-wavelength applications such as deep defect inspection of polymer composite materials, 2200nm band laser imaging calibration, and precise identification of mineral components. Consequently, 2200nm extended-wavelength SWIR cameras—with broader detection ranges and enhanced responsiveness—are gradually becoming an industry necessity, effectively filling the gap in ultra-long-wave infrared detection and adapting to more high-precision operating conditions. Below is a comparison of key parameters for four mainstream 2200nm extended-wavelength SWIR cameras: BrandAttosTekAllied VisionEHD imagingPhotonic ScienceModelSWIR1503CU-2.2Goldeye CL-034 XSWIR 2.2EHD333KMB-E1222Cooled VGA Extended SWIRSpectral Range1200–2200 nm1200–2200 nm1200–2200 nm1100–2200 nmPixel Size15 µm × 15 µm15 µm × 15 µm15 µm × 15 µm15 µm × 15 µmFrame Rate270 fps303 fps240 fps174 fpsResolution640 × 512636 × 508640 × 512640 × 512Quantum Efficiency70% @ 1900 nm70% @ 1900 nm70% @ 1900 nm70% @ 2050 nmDark Current<25 fA @ 0.1V & 18°C, 178 ke⁻/pixel/s820 ke⁻/s<25 fA @ 0.1V & 18°C<300 fA (air-cooled), <20 fA (water-cooled)Cooling Temperature–50°C (air-cooled)–40°C (air-cooled)–20°C (air-cooled)–25°C (air-cooled) / –50°C (water-cooled)InterfaceUSB 3.0Camera LinkUSB 3.0 /…

Short‑wave infrared (SWIR) InGaAs detectors are widely deployed in optical communications, machine vision, spectral analysis and other fields. Nevertheless, scenarios such as laser inspection, industrial material sorting and photovoltaic quality inspection have growing demands for detection capability above 1700 nm, which cannot be satisfied by standard short‑wave infrared cameras. This article introduces three typical application scenarios for 900‑1900 nm extended‑band SWIR cameras. I. Laser Inspection and Beam Analysis Throughout the full lifecycle of laser‑unit R&D, production, integration and maintenance, beam‑quality measurement is critical for guaranteeing performance and reliability. Key laser parameters including spot profile and power distribution require precise measurement. 1 Laser Types, Wavelength Bands and Applications Typical Laser TypeWavelengthPrimary Application FieldsSemiconductor laser (pump source)808 / 915 / 976 nmPumping for fiber lasers and solid‑state lasersYb:YAG / Nd:YAG / Ytterbium‑doped fiber laser1030‑1080 nmMaterial processing (cutting, welding, marking), military ranging and pointing, medical usesNd:YAG / Nd:YVO₄ laser1319 / 1342 nmMedical treatment, spectral analysis, communicationsErbium‑doped fiber laser1550 nmOptical communications, eye‑safe LiDAR, rangingThulium‑doped fiber laser1900 nmSurgical medicine, atmospheric monitoring, remote sensing, material processingHo:YAG, quantum‑cascade laser (QCL)2000‑2500 nmEnvironmental monitoring, gas detection, medical lithotripsy and soft‑tissue surgery 2 Unique Advantages of 900‑1900 nm SWIR Cameras Operating near 1900 nm, thulium‑doped fiber lasers leverage strong water‑vapour and carbon‑dioxide absorption features for gas sensing in atmospheric monitoring. For material processing, they deliver efficient material treatment via direct absorption by…

Driven by growing demand for detection capability above 1700 nm in semiconductor inspection, photovoltaic quality control, material sorting and other fields, short‑wave infrared cameras built around extended‑range InGaAs detectors with spectral response up to 1900 nm are seeing wider adoption for industrial inspection and scientific‑research applications. The table below compares core specifications of four mainstream 1900 nm extended‑band SWIR cameras currently available on the market: BrandAttosTekFirst Light ImagingContrastechAllied VisionModelSWIR1503CU‑1.9C‑RED 2 ER 1.9 μmiBX‑SWU640B‑240Goldeye G‑034 XSWIR 1.9 TEC2Spectral Range900–1900 nm1100–1900 nm1000–1900 nm1100–1900 nmPixel Size15 μm × 15 μm15 μm × 15 μm15 μm × 15 μm15 μm × 15 μmFrame Rate240 fps600 fps240 fps303 fpsResolution640 × 512640 × 512640 × 512636 × 508Peak Quantum Efficiency70% @ 1700 nm> 70%~ 70% @ 1900 nm~ 85% @ 1350 nmCooling Temperature−20 °C−40 °C−20 °C−30 °CData InterfaceUSB 3.0USB 3.1 / CameraLinkUSB 3.0GigE / CameraLinkKey FeaturesFull spectral coverage from near‑infrared edge to 1900 nm; cost‑effective600 fps full‑frame rate; supports high‑speed imagingExcellent quantum efficiency at 1900 nmLow dark current, high quantum efficiency; suitable for low‑light detectionDomestic ProductYesNoYesNo

For fiber lasers, solid‑state lasers, ultra‑stable cavity coupling, beam‑quality diagnostics and other applications, the spatial distribution and energy concentration of laser beams serve as core metrics for evaluating laser performance. In airborne optoelectronic systems, optical communications and scientific‑research fields, spot diameters may reach several millimetres or even centimetres, requiring large‑format short‑wave infrared cameras for imaging and analysis. Attostek’s large‑format SWIR camera SWIR151BU features a 1.5‑inch sensor area of 18.7 × 14 mm, suitable for experimental imaging and analysis of large‑aperture laser spots. I. AttosTek Large‑Format SWIR Camera SWIR151BU 1. Sensor Format and Resolution The 1.5‑inch sensor of Attostek SWIR151BU delivers 1280 × 1024 resolution, four times the pixel count of 640 × 512 cameras with the same 15 μm pixel size. It can fully capture the complete profile of a large‑aperture laser spot in a single exposure. 2. Pixel Size and Quantum Efficiency Its large 15 μm pixels provide ample light‑sensing area. Combined with peak quantum efficiency ≥ 70 %, the camera substantially boosts low‑light detection capability and signal‑to‑noise ratio, producing crisp images even under low‑illumination conditions. It is well‑suited for imaging faint peripheral signals from high‑power laser spots. 3. Frame Rate and Shutter Mode The SWIR151BU achieves 200 fps at full resolution with a global shutter, enabling precise capture of pulsed‑laser…

1. Product Introduction The SWIR1503CU‑1.9 is an industrial short‑wave infrared (SWIR) camera built around a high‑performance InGaAs CMOS sensor. It delivers a resolution of 0.33 MP with a pixel size of 15 µm. Equipped with a USB3.0 interface for stable high‑speed data transmission, the camera achieves a maximum frame rate of 240 fps. It integrates a TEC cooling module to suppress dark current below 100 fA. Featuring a global shutter, it produces tear‑free images for high‑speed dynamic scenarios. Thanks to outstanding imaging performance, a stable thermal control system and flexible integration capability, the SWIR1503CU‑1.9 is well‑suited for professional applications including fiber‑optic communications, laser inspection and near‑infrared spectral analysis. 2. Quantum‑Efficiency Plot 3. Camera Specifications ItemSWIR1503CU‑1.9Sensor TypeInGaAs CMOSSpectral Range900 nm – 1900 nmPixel Size15 µm × 15 µmSensor Format3/4″Frame Rate & Resolution8/12/14‑bit: 240 fps @ 640 × 512On‑board Image Buffer512 MBPeak Quantum Efficiency70 % @ 1700 nmConversion GainTBDDynamic RangeTBDReadout Noise< 35 e⁻Full‑Well Capacity1.38 Me⁻ (LG), 118 ke⁻ (MG), 41 ke⁻ (HG)Maximum SNRTBDDark Current< 100 fA @ 0.1 V & 18 °C (fA = 6250 e⁻/s)Exposure Time Range16 µs ~ 5 sShutter ModeGlobal ShutterData InterfaceUSB3.0Digital I/O1 opto‑isolated input, 1 opto‑isolated outputData Format12‑bit / 14‑bitCooling Temperature−20 °C (at 20 °C ambient temperature)Optical MountC‑mountPower SupplyDC 12 V, 3 APower Consumption8.4 W (TEC OFF) / < 16 W (TEC ON)Dimensions68 mm × 68 mm × 90.3 mmWeight485 gSoftwareAttosView / Full SDK PackageSupported OSWin32 / WinRT / Linux / macOS / AndroidTemperatureOperating: −30 °C…

I. NIR-II Sub-Window Imaging Based on differences in absorption characteristics within the NIR-II (900–1700 nm) band, researchers have further subdivided it into sub‑windows including NIR‑IIa (1300–1400 nm), NIR‑IIx (1400–1500 nm), NIR‑IIb (1500–1700 nm), and NIR‑IIc (1700–1880 nm). Among these, the NIR‑IIx band, which lies near the strong water absorption peak, has been considered to attenuate signals and has therefore seen relatively few in vivo imaging studies. A research team from Zhejiang University systematically conducted in vivo imaging studies in this band using a deep‑cooled SWIR camera. The study suggests that when the fluorescence signal is sufficiently strong, the water absorption characteristics of the NIR‑IIx window can shift from being an "enemy of signal attenuation" to a "friend of background suppression," enabling high‑contrast imaging. The related findings were published in the Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves, 2025, Vol. 44, No. 5. The study systematically compared in vivo vascular imaging quality in mice across four NIR‑II spectral sub‑windows. The experiments first verified theoretical expectations through simulations, then used indocyanine green (ICG) for vascular and intestinal imaging in mice, and employed methylene blue (MB) and ICG for dual‑channel imaging of lymph nodes and blood vessels. II. Main Research Findings III. Requirements for SWIR Cameras Since the fluorescence signal in…

Fluorescence imaging serves as a mainstream non-invasive technique for visualizing dynamic physiological and pathological processes in live mice. Conventional visible-light and first near-infrared window (NIR-I) imaging suffer from prominent drawbacks: severe photon scattering within biological tissues and intense tissue autofluorescence interference, which preclude high-precision imaging of deep tissues. Compared with visible light and NIR-I, the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) features attenuated photon scattering and weaker biological tissue autofluorescence, enabling clear identification of tiny metastatic tumor lesions. This research has greatly advanced investigations into disease pathogenesis and the progress of pharmaceutical development. I. Mouse NIR-II Imaging Fluorescence imaging is a mainstream technique for non-invasively observing physiological and pathological dynamic processes in mice. Traditional visible-light and NIR-I imaging have significant limitations: photons scatter severely in biological tissues, and strong tissue autofluorescence interference makes high-precision imaging of deep tissues impossible. Compared with visible light and NIR-I, the NIR-II region reduces photon scattering effects and lowers tissue autofluorescence intensity, enabling clear identification of tumor metastases. This research has greatly advanced the study of disease mechanisms and drug development. II. Deep-Cooled SWIR Camera Deep cooling is critical for adapting InGaAs detectors to NIR-II imaging, as it effectively suppresses dark current and enables weak signal capture…