SXGA IR detector solutions at IRnova

Robust and reliable infrared (IR) imaging sensors based on Type-II superlattice (T2SL) and Quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP) have consistently demonstrated exceptional uniformity, long-term stability, and advanced operability (>99.9 %) for pixel pitches as small as 7.5 μm at IRnova. The family of 10 μm pitch SXGA format (1280×1024 pixels) IR sensors is growing rapidly at IRnova, with state-of-the-art T2SL solutions in mid-wavelength IR (MWIR, 3-5 μm) with the Njord detector as well as groundbreaking, high-resolution QWIP sensor (Tyr) for long wavelength IR (LWIR, 8-12 μm) imaging. Their performances are presented in this work, demonstrating high sensitivity, excellent spatial uniformity, temporal stability, and high modulation transfer function (MTF) which all results in high-end imaging. These advanced products will soon be followed by next-generation polarimetric HD LWIR imagers, utilizing in-pixel polarization selectivity as well as MW/LW dual band bias tunable detectors. In this paper, the status of the development of these SXGA products will be presented, along with a road map for IR imagers with smaller pitch (Skade, Q2-2027) and larger formats (2k x 2k and beyond).