An
infrared (IR) detector is a detector which acts in response to
infrared radiation. It is a transducer that transforms radiant energy
in the infrared into a measurable form. The two primary types of IR
detectors are photodetectors and thermal detectors. IR detectors are
attaining substantial market penetration; and newer technologies in
this market are emerging every day. IR detectors are increasingly
becoming prime component of consumer electronics devices such as
smart TV, smartphone and others.
High
demand for security at commercial environments such as airports,
offices, hotels and hospitals is expected to boost IR detector market
growth. Rising demand from consumer electronics applications such as
smart TVs, tablets and smartphone is also expected to drive the sales
of IR detectors in the near future. Moreover, factors such as lower
price of IR detectors in forthcoming years and use of night vision
ability in military applications are supporting the growth of IR
detectors market.
Additionally,
development of IR detectors in terms of size, weight and power and
emergence of large consumer electronics applications are acting in
the favor of IR detector market growth. However, government
regulations and high cost of technologies such as mercury cadmium
telluride (MCT) and Indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) continue to be
prime challenge for the growth of IR detectors market. The U.S. and
Japan are the leading regions for IR detectors market owing to the
presence of the largest manufacturers of IR detectors in these
regions.
The
market is segmented by technology, spectral range, end-user sectors
and applications. Types of IR detectors based on technology include
mercury cadmium telluride (MCT), thermopyles, InGaAs, microbolometers
and pyroelectric IR detectors. Based on spectral range, IR detectors
can be categorized into short wave infrared (SWIR), long wave
infrared (LWIR) and mid wave infrared (MWIR) detectors. These IR
detectors are being used in multiple end-user segments such as
military, medical, scientific, automotive, security and industrial
areas. Common applications of IR detectors cover rail safety, flame
detection, gas leak detection, alcohol level testing for driving
under influence (DUI), petroleum exploration, anesthesiology testing,
space operations, water and steel analysis and temperature sensing.
Additionally, IR detectors are being used in thermal night vision
goggles. IR detectors assist night flying, night driving, and night
surveillance, wildlife observation and search, sleep lab monitoring
and rescue missions. IR motion detectors are applied in home alarm
systems as well.
LWIR
detector market is the prominent market and growing at highest rate,
primarily, due to its wide application range and low price.
Thermopyle, microbolometers and pyroelectric technologies are popular
within LWIR spectral range. InGaAs and MCT are costly technologies,
and are very popular in military applications. By way of development
of new products and progression of IR technologies, InGaAs and MCT
are applicable for a broader range of products namely spectroscopy
and bio-medical imaging. Prominent players in the market include
Excelitas Technologies Corp., Hamamatsu Photonics KK, FlIR Systems
Inc., Melexis NV, Omron Corporation, Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.,
Raytheon Co., ULIS, Texas Instruments Inc. and Vigo System S.A. among
others.
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