PbS and PbSe detectors

Cal Sensors' has two new families of lead salt infrared detectors as well as the introduction of a new digital drive board. The new single channel detector (SCD) and multichannel detector (MCD) families provide sensitivity for a variety of infrared sensing applications.

The SCD-13HV (single channel detector- high-value) PbS detectors are designed to meet requirements for high volume, cost-sensitive applications. SCD detectors provide sensitivity with typical D* from 9 x 1010 to 1.75 x 1011 Jones across the one to three micron wavelength range. Performance varies with element size and window type.

All SCD-13HV products support a glass window or lens configuration. Three element sizes are available in industry standard packages for easy integration. For applications where size is critical, such as portable test equipment, the SCD-13HV line offers a 1 by 1 mm detector in a TO-46 can. Where greater field-of-view or larger element sizes are important, 2 and 3 mm square detector sizes are available in TO-5 packages.

The new PbS and PbSe multi-channel detectors (MCD) provide sensitivity of 1.5 x 1010 Jones for detection of up to four distinct materials/gases. Covering one to five microns, the MCD product family provides channel isolation of >99.5 percent and a TO-5 footprint. An optional integrated thermistor within the MCD package optimizes temperature compensation for measurement precision. Co-locating the temperature sensor and detector material in a hermetically-sealed TO-5 package ensures they both ‘feel' the same temperature variations and reduce potential effects of external environmental factors.

The four channel configuration offers opportunities for cost reduction and design simplification minimizing the need for multiple individual detectors and complex optics. System costs and footprints can be reduced up to 60 percent versus alternative single-detector designs. The technology is well-suited for a variety of applications including industrial and medical gas analysis, as well as auto and aviation emissions testing. It is useful for environmental applications such as stack monitoring, greenhouse gas analysis and overseeing air quality in confined spaces including tunnels and underground structures.

Though customizable for different applications across the one to five micron infrared spectrum, the MCD-15 line is available in a standard four-channel configuration with four discrete optical bandpass filters. This configuration supports CO, CO2 and hydro-carbon (such as methane) gas analysis.

Cal Sensors' new Digital Drive Board optimizes signal levels for Cal Sensor´s one to four channel detectors. Designed with a socket that accepts Cal Sensor's standard one to four-channel detectors, the digital board provides all the electronics necessary to drive the sensor, digitize the output and connect via USB to a computer or microprocessor. Supporting PbS and PbSe detector technologies, these drive boards were created to accelerate prototyping and product development.

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