Research and Development in Sensor Technologies
Continuous research and development of new sensor technologies are indispensable to meet the customer expectations as well as our own detector production requirements. Our developers are very experienced in the fields of electro-optical and electro-mechanical design, pyroelectric materials and signal processing electronics. This knowledge forms the foundation for developing innovative products as well as for the optimization of applied production technologies and further development of our extensive measurement techniques.
We continuously expand our development workforce as the market is growing, in order to prepare for future requirements and to be able to react to the latest trends, such as the application of microsystem technologies (MOEMS). In addition to product developments for our customers, we also cooperate with different project partners and work on various funded projects for future infrared sensor generations.
Our know-how is reflected in our products, such as the digital detector PyrIQ® for easy system integration, which is currently one of the leading innovations in the field.
Research into More Robust Detectors: “Plant and Process Development for Atomic Layer Deposition of Aluminum-Based Thin Films for Barriers, Actuators, and Electronics – MultiALD”
As part of the ERDF R&D funding program, the MultiALD project brings together two research institutions (ZfM Chemnitz and Fraunhofer ENAS) and three SMEs (scia Systems, FAP GmbH, and InfraTec GmbH Infrarotsensorik und Messtechnik) to collaborate on the development of ALD-based thin-film technologies for innovative industrial applications. The project includes the development of IR-transparent layers that serve as moisture barriers, as well as crystalline, piezoelectric thin films for electromechanical microsystems.
In particular InfraTec is focusing on the barrier functionality of the layers to sustainably improve the mechanical stability and robustness of pyroelectric IR detectors under humid conditions. Due to highly hygroscopic window materials such as KBr and water-soluble crystal materials such as DLaTGS, these detectors are particularly sensitive to moisture and have so far required complex drying systems to operate.
In addition to the development and characterization of aluminum-based single- and multilayer ALD barrier coatings, InfraTec also focuses on optimizing the overall window-material-adhesive-housing system. The aim of the project is to further improve the detectors, ensuring greater robustness against environmental influences while maintaining the same electro-optical performance.
Development of a Non-stoichiometric Aluminum Oxynitride Layer as Absorber Material for Pyroelectric Infrared Sensors
As part of an innovation grant with financial support from the Sächsische Aufbaubank and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union, partners InfraTec and the Technical University of Applied Sciences in Wildau have comprehensively analyzed and evaluated novel aluminum oxynitride coatings as absorbers for pyroelectric infrared sensors. The focus is on adapting the layer thickness and morphology of the material for spectrally flat and broadband absorption behavior with adequate mechanical stability to ensure successful manufacturing integration. The layer system has the potential to complement the current state of the art and be used in infrared sensors for broadband and spectrally flat applications.
Development of a Chip Holder in Silicon Micromechanics for Pyroelectric DLaTGS Detectors
As part of an innovation program with financial support from “Sächsische Aufbaubank” and the EU's European Regional Development Fund, the partners InfraTec and the Center for Microtechnologies at Chemnitz University of Technology have developed a chip holder for pyroelectric DLaTGS sensor elements.
DLaTGS as a pyroelectric material can be used to build detectors that meet the very highest signal-to-noise ratio requirements. They are therefore indispensable for certain applications such as FTIR spectrometers. At the same time, the DLaTGS material places the highest demands on processing and handling, as it is water-soluble, fragile and sensitive to temperature. Consequently, the chip holder must be optimized to meet very specific requirements, which result from the application (FTIR) as well as the material properties of DLaTGS.
The solution developed by the partners is based on silicon micromechanics (MEMS technology). Different variants were designed, manufactured and successfully evaluated.
InfraTec develops and manufactures high-performance detectors as well as special solutions that meet the highest requirements.
KERAMIR – Monolithic Ceramic IR Emitter
New type of thermal emitters with extra power and reliability
In the KERAMIR project, the partners InfraTec and the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS, with financial support from the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union, want to establish the technological foundations for a completely new category of ceramic-based IR emitters. These emitters should be characterized by a high radiation power in the mid and far infrared range, excellent long-term stability of the optical and electrical properties, high reliability and long service life as well as a very compact surface-mountable design. Ceramic multilayer technology is used to meet these sometimes conflicting requirements. As a result, the IR emitter can be realized as a completely monolithic ceramic component. The key innovation is that the radiating surface is designed as a thin self-supporting ceramic membrane in combination with a thin metallic layer.
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