IR Workshop a Complete Success

In November of 2012, the first WORKshop on Infrared Technologies took place at LASER COMPONENTS. Over the course of two days, speakers from around the world gave presentations on the work being performed in their R&D departments and introduced the next generation of products. The workshop received excellent reviews by participants. Many confirmed their attendance at the next such event. The technical discussions that ensued with specialists on the continued development of products and systems were particularly appreciated. Workshop abstracts were published and are available on the website listed below. In the following, you will find a brief explanation of the topics presented:

CAL Sensors gave a presentation on strategies for integrating PbS/PbSe photoresistors in high-resolution measurement heads that feature long-term stability. The Dexter Research Center reported on the stage of development of their digital thermopiles. They also participated in the poster session with InfraTec and compared thermopiles to pyroelectric detectors. The Dresden-based company, InfraTec, held two further presentations, in the first of which they introduced the coming generation of detectors with a tunable Fabry-Perot filter in the new wavelength ranges from 5-8 µm and from 8-11 µm. A reduction in the effect of gravity on the filter characteristics and a version with increased measuring speed are currently in development. The second presentation dealt with the study of new pyroelectric materials that make it possible to achieve a detectivity that is two to three times higher than in LiTaO3 detectors. They are also more robust than the more commonly used DTGS.

Holo/OR introduced a new design for diffractive optical beam homogenizers. Omega Optical presented on dielectric coatings for fiber tips. Normally, these coatings are sensitive to changes in the angle of incidence; however, due to gradient-index designs, such as for example rugate designs, it is possible to make improvements.

With its hollow-core fiber, Polymicro introduced a product that has until now been largely unknown (see page 6). Hollow-core fibers are suited for the transmission of wavelengths in the infrared range. The fiber consists of a fused silica capillary, to the inside of which a reflecting silver halogenide coating is applied. From the outside, the fiber is equipped with an acrylate layer that improves the stability and flexibility of the waveguide.