Through specific applications examples with sample images, this presentation introduces you to the basics of infrared (IR) imaging technology. The field of applications for IR cameras is wide, and they are used in many different industries, science, and public-safety sectors. What are the principles that stand behind such applications? Which sensor types should be used and when do wavelength filters help to detect the things that need to be seen?

1. Infrared Imaging: Seeing the Invisible
Part Three:
Applications

2. • Quality Inspection
(Solar Cells, Semiconductors, or PCBs; Laser Beam Profiling)
• Industrial Inspection
• Early Fire/Hazard Detection
Automation &
Process Control

3. Application Bank Note Authentication
Spectral Range Visible; NIR; SWIR;
Functionality Certain safety features disappear or
become visible when exposed to
infrared light. In the examples certain
areas of the notes are not visible.
Notes Sometimes special filters are required,
e.g. $-note:
1262 nm – 1338 nm band pass filter
False
Real

4. Application Wafer / Solar Cell Inspection
Spectral Range (Visible); NIR; SWIR
Functionality Luminescence imaging helps to
identify non-uniformities in the
silicon wafer or solar cell by forcing
it to emit light:
• Electroluminescence (EL)
A solar cell emits light / heat in
response to electric current flow
• Photoluminescence (PL)
A solar cell emits light / heat in
response to being exposed to
light
Notes Typical peak emission wavelength for different
wafer materials:
CdTe: 800 nm, Si: 1150 nm, CIGS: 1300 – 1700
nm, CIS: 1300 nm

5. Application Recycling – Paper Sorting
Spectral Range LWIR
Functionality Paper is processed on a conveyor belt
and exposed to heat. Just after the
heater a camera detects the
differences in temperature that varies
with the quality (thickness) of the
paper.
Notes Very small temp. differences need to
be identified <50 mK

6. Application Semiconductor Inspection
Spectral Range SWIR
Functionality Silicon is transparent at wavelength
above 1100 nm.
This enables to look through the
silicon to see underlying structures.
Notes Usage of magnification lenses
Contacts at
backside of a
TFT display
Underlying
structures
in a wafer
Transparency of
materials at specific
wavelength (e.g.
plastics)
can also be used for
other inspection
tasks!

7. Application Moisture Detection
Spectral Range NIR / SWIR; MWIR
Functionality Water absorbs strongly at specific
wavelengths, e.g.:
1.45, 1.9, 2.9, and 6 µm
By using a corresponding filter or
lighting, this feature can be
used for various inspection tasks:
• Verification of coatings or dryness
uniformity in bulk material
• Fill level detection in bottles
• Detection of damaged fruit
• Gauging relative water content in
plants
Notes Use corresponding filters to emphasize
features

8. • Speed Enforcement
• Red-Light Violation
• Traffic Monitoring at Night
Traffic Imaging &
Intelligent Transportation Systems

9. • Hyperspectral Imaging
• Agricultural Research
(Plant Inspection)
• Medical
(Fever Detection ; Arthrosis Diagnosis)
Science & Research

10. Application (Hyper) Spectral Imaging
Spectral Range Visible; NIR; SWIR; MWIR; LWIR
Functionality Incoming light is split into many bands
before it falls on the detector.
Hyperspectral data contains both
spatial and spectral information from
objects within a given scene.
Each image of a scene represents a
specific band of the electromagnetic
spectrum.
All 'images' together build three-
dimensional hyperspectral data cube
for processing and analysis.

11. • Security
• Law Enforcement
• Border Control
• Anti-piracy
Surveillance

12. Civil
• Building Diagnostics
• Firefighting

13. • Night Vision
• Border Control
Homeland Security

14. Allied Vision Technologies GmbH
Taschenweg 2a
07646 Stadtroda, Germany
Tel.: +49 36428 / 677-0
Fax: +49 36428 / 677-24
info@alliedvisiontec.com
www.alliedvisiontec.com
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