Vision Spectra Preview - Winter 2022

Most CMOS sensors have sensitivity in both the visible and NIR region. When it comes to working in the NIR spectrum, these sensors have lower quantum efficiency and can easily be overpowered by any ambient visible light which will create image noise. By implementing NIR long pass filters, visible light can be prevented from reaching the imaging sensor and creating a true NIR camera. Like standard CMOS sensors, the next generation of SWIR sensors have sensitivity in multiple spectrums -- including the latest quantum dot SWIR sensors and Sony’s new IMX990/1 SenSwir sensor with sensitivity in the visible and SWIR spectrum. In this article, the authors address how to increase contrast and spectral band isolation. Working in conjunction with SWIR LEDs, users can match SWIR bandpass filters that have similar peaks to SWIR LEDs.