On Semiconductor enhances the near-infrared performance of CCD image sensors

     ON Semiconductor uses technology that improves the near-infrared sensitivity of CCD image sensors to enhance imaging performance in demanding industrial applications. The 8-megapixel (MP) KAI-08052 image sensor is the first device in ON Semiconductor's CCD product lineup to incorporate this new technology, offering twice the near-infrared (NIR) wavelength sensitivity of the company's standard Interline Transfer CCD pixel design. This enhanced sensitivity is critical for applications such as scientific and medical imaging in which samples emit light or fluorescence in NIR wavelengths; Or in machine vision and intelligent transportation systems (ITS), NIR lighting is often used to better examine a target or isolate a vehicle's license plate.

     The new CCD pixel design of the KAI-08052 extends the electron capture region in the silicon wafer to better capture the electrons produced by long-wavelength photons. Depending on the specific wavelength under study, this deeper pixel well can increase the detected NIR wavelength by up to double. Because the well structure also isolates the photodiodes from each other, this improves NIR sensitivity without reducing image sharpness (modulation transfer function or MTF).

     Herb Erhardt, vice president and general manager of the Industrial and Security Division of ON Semiconductor's Image Sensors Division, said: "Camera manufacturers and end customers continue to demonstrate the need for products based on CCD and CMOS technologies in these markets, and it is important that we continue to develop and advance both technologies. KAI-08052 significantly improves NIR sensitivity over our standard pixel design, and we will introduce more products using this technology."

     Available in black and white, Bayer and Sparse Color configurations in a RoHS compliant CPGA-67 package, the KAI-08052 is fully pin-compatible with existing KAI-08051 image sensors and a full range of 5.5 µm and 7.4 µm CCD image sensors. Enables camera manufacturers to quickly adopt new components.