Products

Image Sensor

Extending into the visible spectrum,
Sony’s SWIR sensors have the industry's smallest pixels (5 μm)*

  • *Among SWIR sensors employing a compound indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) semiconductor, according to Sony' s research (as of May 2020).

  • 8.2 mm diagonal, approx. 1.34 effective megapixel SWIR image sensor
    IMX990

    4.1 mm diagonal, approx. 0.34 effective megapixel SWIR image sensor
    IMX991

  • * IMX990 shown in both photos

As manufacturers in various industries continue to seek higher productivity, there is growing interest in sensing both in the visible spectrum and beyond it, at SWIR wavelengths.

In IMX990 and IMX991, SenSWIR technology has enabled Sony to overcome challenges in pixel miniaturization to offer sensors that are compact, high-resolution, and capable of imaging from the visible spectrum to SWIR wavelengths. IMX990 and IMX991 are global shutter sensors with a digital output allowing for many features and functionality in industrial camera applications such as ROI and Trigger Mode

The advances in performance and functionality introduced by the IMX990 and IMX991 pave the way for the development of SWIR industrial cameras and inspection equipment for a diverse range of applications such as inspection, identification, and measurement.

* Sample shipments of IMX990-AABJ and IMX991-AABJ will begin in June 2020, followed in July 2020 by IMX990-AABA and IMX991-AABA (incorporating a thermoelectric cooling element).

Features

Higher resolution and smaller systems from the industry's smallest pixels, at 5 μm

Advantages of the sensors promise to expand SWIR sensing applications. The sensors' higher resolution offers higher inspection precision, and smaller cameras afford greater freedom in installation.

Broad imaging (0.4–1.7 μm) from a single sensor that extends to the visible spectrum

Inspection that once required multiple cameras to cover visible and SWIR wavelengths can now be performed with a single unit. Such broad coverage expands both the type of objects that can be inspected and the type of inspection available. System costs can be reduced, and faster image processing can increase throughput.

Enhanced capabilities from digital output

Unlike the analog output that most SWIR sensors are limited to, the sensors also feature digital output, for performance on the level of current industrial CMOS sensors. Analog sensors require developers to implement an ADC or other functionality for industrial equipment on the camera. In contrast, the new sensors already include this functionality, which saves time and effort in camera development and makes it easier to develop versatile cameras.

  • SWIR, Short Wavelength Infra-Red, refers to a type of infrared light. SWIR wavelengths generally lie in the range of 0.9–2.5 μm. Though in the infrared spectrum, they are near wavelengths of visible light. IMX990 and IMX991 sensors cover SWIR wavelengths up to 1.7 μm. Imaging by the sensors also extends to wavelengths of visible light, which has proven difficult for conventional SWIR sensors to capture.

Specifications

Table 1: Device structure
Item IMX990-
AABA-C		 IMX990-
AABJ-C		 IMX991-
AABA-C		 IMX991-
AABJ-C
Image size 8.2 mm diagonal (1/2-inch type) 4.1 mm diagonal (1/4-inch type)
Effective pixels 1296 (H) × 1032 (V),
approx. 1.34 megapixels		 656 (H) × 520 (V),
approx. 0.34 megapixels
Unit cell size 5μm（H）×5μｍ（V）
Optical black Horizontal direction front 0 pixels, rear 96 pixels
Vertical direction front 12 pixels, rear 0 pixels
Input drive frequency 37.125MHz/74.25MHz/54MHz
Power supply Pixel 2.2V、1.2V
Analog 3.3V、2.2V
Digital 1.2V
Interface 1.8V
Shutter mode Global shutter
Output interface SLVS（2ch/4ch）
Package Thermoelectric cooling
element		 Included − Included −
Dimensions 30.0mm（H）
× 30.0mm（V）		 20.0mm（H）
× 16.8mm（V）		 30.0mm（H）
× 30.0mm（V）		 20.0mm（H）
× 16.8mm（V）
Table 2: Imaging characteristics
Item IMX990 IMX991 Notes
Sensitivity 121mV 121mV F8、
1/30 sec. accumulation
Saturation signal 360mV 360mV 　
Quantum efficiency >75% >75% λ=1300nm
Dark signal 0.244mV 0.244mV 1/30 sec. accumulation
Operability*1 >99.5% >99.5% 　

*Measurement conditions: Tj=15°C, all-pixel readout mode
*1：Operability: percentage of pixels free of defects

Relative quantum efficiency of IMX990/IMX991

* Data may vary depending on conditions and the environment.

Table 3: Basic drive mode
Model Drive mode Recommended
recording pixels		 ADC
[bit]		 Frame rate (max.)
[fps]
IMX990 All-pixel readout 1280（H）×1024（V） 8 130
10 120
12 70
IMX991 All-pixel readout 640（H）×512（V） 8 250
10 240
12 130

Sony’s SWIR technology

  • A wide-band and high-sensitivity SWIR image sensor technology implemented by the combination of compound semiconductor InGaAs photodiodes and Si readout circuits through Cu-Cu bonding.

*SenSWIR andPolarsensare trademarks of Sony Corporation.

Sony reserves the right to change products and specifications without prior notice.

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