Thermal Imaging's 160th Anniversary- Brief Status of the $4 Billion Infrared Technology Market in 2020

In honor of John Herschel’s production of the first thermal image, called a thermogram this week 160 years ago I am writing this briefing on the current status of thermal imaging.

What is Thermal Imaging?

Thermal imaging, or infrared imaging, is the creation of images produced by a camera which captures light in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. This infrared light, which travels in wavelengths ranging from 1.5um (Short Wave Infrared) all the way to 14um (Longwave infrared), is not visible to the human eye. This IR light is generally categorized in three segments:

Description ----------------------Wavelength

Short-wave infrared (SWIR)----1.5- 2.5um

Mid-wave infrared (MWIR)----3.0-5.0um

Long- wave infrared (LWIR)---7.0-14um

Applications

 SWIR & MWIR  Short-wave and Mid-wave IR camera are capable of high-quality imaging over very long distances, through smoke, haze, fog, etc. There are many scientific, military, border security, aviation and maritime applications for cameras utilizing these wave lengths of light. The great challenge of more widespread adoption is cost MCT detectors requiring cryogenic cooling from Sterling coolers, and are very expensive. Expect to pay $10,000 and up for a SWIR camera and $35,000 and up for a MWIR. As such it is mostly big budget organizations employing these devices. (Verify ITAR status before export)

LWIR                  Long-wave infrared imaging, via uncooled microbolometry, is a technology ascendant. Over 1 million units were sold last year according to Maxtech International. Utilizing a Vanadium Oxide (VoX) amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) detector, these cameras can capture light energy emitted in the 8-12um wavelength and render them into images. No external illumination is required so they can operate in total darkness. With low-cost detectors now able to distinguish difference in temperature as small as 1/10th degree Celsius (0.1?C), there is a lot of information in any situation of derive images from.

As the size and price of these uncooled LWIR thermal cameras have come down, thermal imaging is now used to detect pedestrians and animals for automobile safety(thermal night vision), to find people for search and rescue, fire-fighting, law enforcement and military as well as for hunting. There are additional agricultural uses, HVAC, industrial quality control, people counting, and even fever detection in airports and at borders. (Verify ITAR status before export) 75% of the Infrared market (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) has been captured uncooled LWIR product.

Major Manufacturers

 SWIR and MWIR devices:

• FLIR
• Opgal
• DRS
• Controp
• L3 Harris
• IR Cameras
• SCD
• Lynred
• Xenics
• Northrop Grumman
• UTC/Sensors Unlimited
• Raytheon

The major global players among these expensive, high-quality, usually-cooled devices are:

 LWIR cameras

The major players in the LWIR thermal imaging market space (NA & Eu) are as follows:

• Seek Thermal
• Teledyne Dalsa
• Fluke Corporation
• Optics 1
• ATN Corp
• L3 Harris
• Pulsar/Yukon
• Lynred (Ulis + Sofradir)
• BAE
• Torrey Pines Logic
• DRS
• Raytheon
• Trijicon
• FLIR

There are additionally major players in Israel, Turkey, China and Russia. Due to a low price point to good performance, the LWIR portion of the infrared imaging market is exploding.

In conclusion, Long-wave Infrared systems dominate the IR imaging market in terms of unit volume through wide spread professional, automotive and hobby driven utilization. As the costs continue to drop, we will all enjoy the benefits of being able to identify objects, people and animals in a non-contact, non-destructive fashion.

As my employer, LightPath Technologies is a manufacturer of optics for many of these camera manufacturers, we have some pretty good insights into the dynamics of the market. If you have an IR imaging project and would like some advice on price, performance or other attributes, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will do my best to make John Herschel’s legacy work for you.

Cheers, Devin Standard