Research and Devel­op­ment in Sensor Tech­no­lo­gies

As part of an innovation program with financial support from “Sächsische Aufbaubank” and the EU's European Regional Development Fund, the partners InfraTec and the Center for Microtechnologies at Chemnitz University of Technology have developed a chip holder for pyroelectric DLaTGS sensor elements. 

DLaTGS as a pyroelectric material can be used to build detectors that meet the very highest signal-to-noise ratio requirements. They are therefore indispensable for certain applications such as FTIR spectrometers. At the same time, the DLaTGS material places the highest demands on processing and handling, as it is water-soluble, fragile and sensitive to temperature. Consequently, the chip holder must be optimized to meet very specific requirements, which result from the application (FTIR) as well as the material properties of DLaTGS.

The solution developed by the partners is based on silicon micromechanics (MEMS technology). Different variants were designed, manufactured and successfully evaluated. 

InfraTec develops and manufactures high-performance detectors as well as special solutions that meet the highest requirements.

InfraTec has been developing and producing pyroelectric detectors for over 30 years now. They have been tried and proven for numerous demanding customer applications in recent decades. However, to reduce the expenditure for customers and to facilitate the system integration of a detector, InfraTec has developed the digital pyroelectric detector (LRD).

New type of thermal emitters with extra power and reliability

In the KERAMIR project, the partners InfraTec and the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS, with financial support from the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union, want to establish the technological foundations for a completely new category of ceramic-based IR emitters. These emitters should be characterized by a high radiation power in the mid and far infrared range, excellent long-term stability of the optical and electrical properties, high reliability and long service life as well as a very compact surface-mountable design. Ceramic multilayer technology is used to meet these sometimes conflicting requirements. As a result, the IR emitter can be realized as a completely monolithic ceramic component. The key innovation is that the radiating surface is designed as a thin self-supporting ceramic membrane in combination with a thin metallic layer.

Gas detectors for detecting explosive and combustible gases are an indispensable part of the protective equipment of the fire brigade, disaster relief and other civil rescue teams. The most accurate knowledge possible about the explosive gases and their spatial expansion is decisive for ensuring fast, safe and efficient intervention.

A measuring instrument that can determine sound scientific data must be calibrated beforehand. Only then can it output reliable information that is deemed comparable and repeatable. As leading bodies, institutions such as the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) or the National Institute of Standards (NIST) constitute the basis worldwide for the correct calibration of measuring instruments. InfraTec supports the work of PTB and NIST and provide them with detectors such as the LIE-651.

Pyroelectric detectors are sensitive components. A new broadband, solderable infrared window ensures a precisely defined atmosphere within their housing.

InfraTec is carrying out research on chip carriers made of injection moulded metallised plastic.