Ion Optics' pulsIR Infrared Light Sources

Ion Optics, Inc., 1999—Waltham, MA—<%=company%> is proud to announce the pulsIR line of patented infrared light sources typically used in non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) gas and chemical monitoring and detection equipment. Off-the-shelf versions provide stable, efficient in-band IR emissions for 2-5 µm, 8-12 µm, 2-12 µm, and 2-20 µm in TO-8 or TO-5 packages. Customized designs are also available.

The patented pulsIR design allows for more IR power output above 4 µm than the traditional quartz halogen bulb whose output falls off after 4 µm. Thus the pulsIR products typically operate at temperatures less than 850 °C (much cooler than quartz halogen bulbs) while still providing greater IR output. This lower temperature operation reduces the chance of igniting combustible gases, improves power efficiency, and reduces the parasitic heating of the optics and detectors.

While capable of DC operation, the pulsIR products are typically pulsed at rates from 0.5 to 10 Hz allowing the design of smaller and simpler systems that do not require the added complexity of a mechanical chopper. Our low-thermal-mass design allows for quick warm-up and several hundred degrees of temperature modulation during pulsed operation.

The pulsIR products are ideal for use in many applications including building air quality monitoring, refrigerant monitoring, combustion emissions monitoring, toxic and combustible gas detection, respiration monitoring, anesthesia monitoring, and breath-alcohol testing. Our products have been used in gas and chemical analysis of CO, CO2, Methane, N2O, Nox, CFCs, Halogens, Hydrocarbons, PFCs, and many others.

Ion Optics has an Evaluation Kit (for $245) that allows for fast evaluation of the pulsIR products in your current NDIR gas monitor design. A microprocessor-controlled driver board connects to a PC's serial port enabling the user to adjust the operating parameters while the pulsIR device is installed in their existing gas monitoring system. The user is able to change pulse rate, pulse height (filament temperature), and duty cycle in a simple Window application.

OEM pricing for orders of more than 10,000 units of the pulsIR product is $18 or less depending on design.