Fujitsu has announced the development of a groundbreaking high-sensitivity, high-resolution infrared sensor designed to enhance monitoring capabilities in defense and disaster prevention. This Type-II superlattice (T2SL) infrared sensor, featuring over 1 million pixels, is capable of detecting both mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) light, with the ability to capture minute thermal differences of 0.05°C or less.
The sensor's dual-band detection capability allows it to accurately identify targets that might be obscured by background noise, a significant advancement over single-wavelength sensors. These features make it suitable for a variety of applications, including optical sensor systems on satellites or aircraft, which can be used for early disaster assessment and environmental monitoring.
By integrating this sensor into monitoring devices, Fujitsu aims to improve information gathering in defense and disaster scenarios. The sensor can detect thermal changes indicative of human activity or object movement, locate individuals during disasters, identify early forest fires, and monitor tsunamis, thereby strengthening defense and disaster prevention efforts.
The technology was developed under a contract with the Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) of the Japan Ministry of Defense, which tasked Fujitsu with creating a prototype for wide-band and high-responsivity photo-detectors. Fujitsu has completed delivery of this prototype and plans to leverage the manufacturing technology starting in fiscal year 2026 to develop new products for monitoring cameras.
In the security sector, there is a growing demand for advanced sensors capable of detecting threats early and capturing their precursors with high accuracy. The diversification of monitoring scenarios and increasing complexity of targets necessitate higher resolution sensors with improved identification capabilities. Fujitsu's new sensor addresses these needs by enabling target detection and identification over longer distances and wider areas than existing systems.
The T2SL infrared sensor captures infrared radiation emitted by objects with heat, visualizing surface temperature distribution. By using a superlattice structure, where different semiconductor materials are layered at the nanometer level, Fujitsu has achieved high sensitivity and excellent control over detection wavelengths and manufacturability.
The sensor's ability to simultaneously detect MWIR and LWIR wavelength bands with a single pixel enhances its detection accuracy. This capability is further supported by advancements in miniaturization of elements through the development of manufacturing processes and mounting technologies suitable for delicate T2SL materials, resulting in high-resolution imaging with over 1 million pixels.
Fujitsu's innovation is expected to drive further advancements in sensitivity, multi-band, and high-resolution capabilities of conventional infrared sensors, enabling a diverse range of product developments. The company aims to contribute to tackling societal issues such as infrastructure inspection and scientific research through the visualization of thermal distribution and changes over time with exceptional precision.
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