Infrared Vision

Infrared cameras can be multiple different types of cameras, all good for different applications. Short Wave InfraRed, also known as SWIR, is more often than not referring to the wavelength band of light that sits between 900nm and 2500nm. Unlike Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) light, SWIR light is similar to visible light in that photons are reflected or absorbed by an object, giving you the strongest contrast possible, which you really need for high resolution imaging. We like SWIR for high definition camera applications.

Short Wave InfraRed Imagers

We use SWIR imagers for many different applications. When it comes to these applications, it may be including silicon inspection, laser beam profiling, hyperspectral imaging, chemical and plastics sensing, machine vision imaging, agricultural sensing, surveillance systems, and medical imaging. They give you the ability to see those super minute defects that you just can’t catch otherwise, and in some circumstances that’s the difference between life and death. You know how your mobile phone can identify your face or a self driving car can identify other vehicles? SWIR imagers are used for these applications.

SWIR and Machine Vision Imaging

Machine vision imaging is a fantastic use for SWIR. Machine vision imaging necessitates cameras that can see the absolute smallest defects, see that at extremely fast frame rates, and a field of view wide enough to image a large area. SWIR cameras are compliant with the main vision software programs you’ll find out there. Manufacturing anything always has some unknown and risk to it. The manufacturing process involves so many steps that there’s always a chance for something to wrong and lead to you putting out some undesirable product. Businesses use these to not make errors in development.

NIR Cameras

NIR stands for Near InfraRed. NIR is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum directly adjacent to the visible range, meaning it is not visible to the human eye. NIR-optimized industrial cameras are popular for applications that need to utilize this wavelength range, mainly applications with poor light conditions, such as traffic monitoring or even security. Before this, these applications were only possible with infrared cameras with expensive CCD sensors that were unattainable by many. Standard industrial cameras tend to quickly reach their limits and require superior lighting. For more information on InGaAs Camera and all forms of Infrared imagers, you will want to do significant research to understand which is best for your needs.