Fields of application for infrared thermal sensors

Infrared-active gas molecules absorb infrared radiation. This fact can be used to determine gas concentration and (to a limited extent) gas type in NDIR gas analysis. An IR radiation source, a gas chamber and an IR sensor are required. Typical target gas types that can be detected using this principle are, for example: CO, CO₂, NO, N₂O, H₂O, OH, SF₆, SO₂, CH₄, C_xH_y, halothane, desflurane, isoflurane.

Our IR sensors are used in:

• respiratory gas analysis for monitoring the health status of patients
• anesthetic gas analysis for monitoring the sedation of patients in intensive care medicine
• industrial gas detection

Above absolute zero (T = 0 K), every body emits a specific heat signature, which can be described using Planck’s radiation law. For body temperatures T<1,000 °C, the maximum of the signature is in the infrared spectral range above λ>2 µm. Accordingly, pyrometry with IR sensors in the temperature range up to 1,000 °C is ideally suited.

Our IR sensors are used in:

• metal, glass, ceramic and chemical production
• early fire detection or combustion chamber monitoring
• thermal inspection or temperature monitoring
• non-contact temperature measurement, e.g. in space exploration

• Rosetta (Lander on Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko)
• Curiosity (Rover on planet Mars)
• Hayabusa 2 (Probe on asteroid Ryugu)
• InSight (Lander on planet Mars)
• BepiColombo (Space probe on planet Mercury)
• Perseverance (Rover on planet Mars)
• NOVA-C (Lander on Earth’s moon)
• MMX (Rover on the Martian moon Phobos)

The detection of spectrally resolved incoming infrared radiation is referred to as IR spectroscopy. An optical prism or grating, for example, is suitable for the spectral decomposition of a broadband input beam. The spectral decomposition can be measured by means of a line-shaped arrangement of IR radiation receiver elements (IR array). IR arrays are often used in the spectroscopic analysis of gases and liquids.

The desired application requires a defined spectral bandwidth and resolution. These are possible by tailoring the IR array design in close consultation with the customer.

Our IR sensors are used in

• the analysis of combustion gases
• monitoring the composition of process gases