Introduction To Scientific InGaAs FPA Cameras

By Manjul Shah, Applications Specialist - Imaging and X-Ray, Princeton Instruments

Working in the near infrared (NIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) regions of the spectrum offers researchers several advantages, such as the abilities to circumvent unwanted fluorescence backgrounds and to probe more deeply into sample surfaces. Imaging and spectroscopy techniques performed in the NIR/SWIR are playing an increasingly important role in many leading-edge scientific and industrial endeavors, including the latest R&D efforts to improve solar cells, nanotubes, and semiconductors, as well as studies involving multispectral investigation. The recent introduction of deep-cooled camera systems that employ indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) focal plane arrays (FPAs) promises to both amplify and broaden the utility of NIR/SWIR imaging and spectroscopy.