IRnova released a QVGA LWIR infrared sensor with built-in 2×2 pixels polarimetric block structure. Each pixel of the block structure is sensitive to a distinct polarization angle (0°, 45°, 90°, and -45°).
Pixel polarization relies on QWIP lamellar gratings allowing genuine polarimetric response without added polarizing filters.
This Polarization technique maintains the excellent thermal imaging performance of QWIP based sensors while offering very high pixel-based polarization contrast.
Achieved polarimetric performance within a standard cooled IDDCA package and optical interfaces will boost already known applications (camouflage denial, target Identification, IED detection, facial recognition ..) and open infrared polarization technique to new applications in the industrial, surveillance, agriculture and space sectors.