IMX990 and IMX991 SWIR sensors

The IMX990 and IMX991 SWIR sensors from Sony are based on SenSWIR technology and are used for a wide range of demanding applications. Their special feature is that they are sensitive both in the visible range (VIS) and in the short-wave infrared range (SWIR, 400 – 1700 nm).

Typical areas of application

1. Industrial inspection & quality control
   • Detection of impurities, scratches or material differences on semiconductor wafers, glass or plastics
   • Testing water or moisture distribution in materials (e. g. in the food or pharmaceutical industry)
2. Semiconductor and solar cell testing
   • Inspection of silicon wafers (silicon only becomes transparent from 1100 nm, allowing internal structures to be visualized)
   • Quality control of solar cells by analyzing defects or cracks
3. Pharmaceutical and food analysis
   • Identification of ingredients through spectral absorption differences (e. g. water, fat, sugar)
   • Inspection of tablet coating or differentiation of packaging materials
4. Safety and monitoring technology
   • Ability to see through fog or smoke (better penetration than visible light)
   • Detection of counterfeit documents or banknotes, as many printing inks absorb differently in the SWIR range
5. Medical and biological imaging
   • Transillumination of tissue for non-invasive diagnostics
   • Detection of veins and blood vessels for medical applications
6. Agricultural and environmental monitoring
   • Assessment of plant health by analyzing chlorophyll and water content
   • Detection of impurities or foreign bodies in agricultural products

The sensors are particularly interesting because they work with CMOS technology, which makes them more compact, energy-efficient and cost-effective than classic InGaAs sensors.