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| Technology The TriWave™ imager from NoblePeak Vision is the world's first Germanium-enhanced, CMOS imager and delivers unparalleled sensitivity and resolution across the visible, near-infrared (NIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrum. Our technology provides a number of significant benefits versus existing silicon imagers or compound semiconductor focal plane arrays.
Spectral Response By taking advantage of germanium's sensitivity to longer wavelengths, TriWave™ reaches past the near-infrared spectrum into the SWIR. These wavelengths are beyond what low light cameras can see. As such, illumination from the Earth's natural Night Glow is now visible and can be utilized to build a new generation of high performance, commercially viable day/night cameras, with easily interpreted reflected light images. Covert surveillance or weapons targeting systems utilizing active illumination and demanding higher illuminator wavelengths for improved safety and security can also benefit from the broad spectral response of TriWave™.  Sensitivity Wide Spectrum Quantum Efficiency (see sidebar for definition) The Quantum Efficiency (QE) for TriWave is shown in the graph below. NoblePeak’s front-illuminated TriWave™ germanium imagers, on the other hand, have high QE from visible to the SWIR. It is this natural QE of germanium that gives TriWave™ its revolutionary performance characteristics.  Low Noise Equivalent Irradiance (see sidebar for definition) In addition to its high QE, TriWave™ has been designed to have a very low Noise Equivalent Irradiance (or NEI). Patented detector design, careful circuit design and the monolithic structure of TriWave™ provide excellent low noise performance. Zero Blooming Due to a unique pixel design that allows for each detector to be dielectrically isolated, NoblePeak’s TriWave™ imagers have zero blooming. This advantage is significant for security, battlefield and automotive cameras incorporating the TriWave™ technology. Image Resolution Our TriWave™ image sensors have a resolution of 744x576 pixels and the ability to scale to higher resolutions much like existing CMOS imagers. Current TriWave™ imagers have a 10µm X 10µm pixel size that allows larger arrays to be manufactured economically, and also for smaller optics to be used, decreasing costs, weight and size of the end system. Imaging System Considerations
Manufacturing TriWave™ has been designed for manufacture in a standard CMOS foundry. As such, the technology can scale to very high volume and benefits from the high quality and low costs that these wafer foundries provide. By using traditional foundries, we also benefit from the developmental leverage of the global semiconductor infrastructure for process and cost improvements. Going forward, this strategy will lead to continuous improvement in cost and performance of our imagers, and also expand the applications space for SWIR imaging.  |
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