Revolutionary new InAsSb photovoltaic detector for industrial gas analysis applications

Hamamatsu has developed a new InAsSb photovoltaic detector, the P16702-011MN, with a built-in preamplifier that offers high sensitivity to mid-infrared light, up to 11 micrometres (μm) in wavelength. This breakthrough has been achieved by combining the latest InAsSb (indium arsenide antimonide) mid-infrared detector with Hamamatsu's unique circuit design technology.

Compared to Hamamatsu's previous detector modules with the same level of sensitivity, the P16702-011MN is significantly smaller in size and cost and exhibits fast response time. This makes it an ideal choice for portable gas analysers, able to immediately analyse exhaust gas components at measurement sites around factories.

The P16702-011MN is a compound semiconductor photodetector with a built-in preamplifier for electrical signal amplification. Mid-infrared light is widely utilized in the analysis of nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides contained in exhaust gases from factories, and other applications such as gas analysis and monitoring of processing laser equipment. To meet these needs, Hamamatsu develops and sells InAsSb mid-infrared detectors and detector module products with enhanced sensitivity by integrating them with electronic circuits and components, including preamplifiers.

In designing this new device, Hamamatsu adopted the latest back-illuminated type InAsSb mid-infrared detector with a sensitivity 1.5 times higher than the regular type. The device was encapsulated in a small cylindrical package with a diameter of approximately 9 mm, resulting in a drastic reduction in size to about 1/200th the volume of Hamamatsu's module products. It still offers the same level of sensitivity capable of detecting mid-infrared light at wavelengths up to 11 μm, and wiring in the package was optimized to increase the response speed up to 100 megahertz, which is twice as high as Hamamatsu's module products, thus improving measurement accuracy. It also has a lower manufacturing cost since the number of required components was reduced.

The P16702-011MN will speed up the replacement of mercury-cadmium-telluride (MCT) infrared detectors, which is currently the mainstream in high-precision mid-infrared spectroscopy but contains toxic substances restricted by the RoHS Directive. Hamamatsu Photonics is one of the few companies in the world that manufactures both photodetectors and light sources. Using the P16702-011MN in conjunction with a quantum cascade laser or QCL, which Hamamatsu also manufactures, allows measurements at even higher speeds, resolution, and sensitivity.