Semiconductor technology that could make night vision and thermal imaging affordable for everyday use was created by Engineers at the University of Texas at Dallas.Researchers in the Texas Analog Center of Excellence (TxACE) in the university’s Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science created an electronic device that detects electromagnetic waves to create images at nearly 10 THz, which is the highest frequency for electronic devices. The device could cut off the cost of night visions and thermal imaging devices.
The present night vision and thermal imagers are costly because they are made with special semiconductor devices and need isolation from the environment, but the UT Dallas device is created using Schottky diodes (semiconductor diode with a low forward voltage drop and a very fast switching action) in complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology.CMOS is also used to make electronic devices such as personal computers(PC's), gaming consoles and high-definition TVs. In addition to being relatively cheap these devices can also be easily incorporated into smartphones.
Zeshan Ahmad, lead author of the work, electrical engineering doctoral candidate and a research assistant in TxACE said that “There are no existing electronic detection systems operating in CMOS that can reach above 5 THz,”.“We designed our chip in such a way that it can be mass produced inexpensively, has a smaller pixel and operates at higher frequencies.” he added.
“This is a truly remarkable accomplishment,” said Dr. Kenneth O professor of electrical engineering in the Jonsson School and director of TxACE and also holder of the TEXAS INSTRUMENTS Distinguished Chair.“Twenty years ago, we were struggling to build CMOS circuits operating at 1 GHz. Now we are building circuits working at frequencies that are 10,000 times higher.” he added.
There are numerous applications of the device, such as:
The present night vision and thermal imagers are costly because they are made with special semiconductor devices and need isolation from the environment, but the UT Dallas device is created using Schottky diodes (semiconductor diode with a low forward voltage drop and a very fast switching action) in complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology.CMOS is also used to make electronic devices such as personal computers(PC's), gaming consoles and high-definition TVs. In addition to being relatively cheap these devices can also be easily incorporated into smartphones.
Zeshan Ahmad, lead author of the work, electrical engineering doctoral candidate and a research assistant in TxACE said that “There are no existing electronic detection systems operating in CMOS that can reach above 5 THz,”.“We designed our chip in such a way that it can be mass produced inexpensively, has a smaller pixel and operates at higher frequencies.” he added.
“This is a truly remarkable accomplishment,” said Dr. Kenneth O professor of electrical engineering in the Jonsson School and director of TxACE and also holder of the TEXAS INSTRUMENTS Distinguished Chair.“Twenty years ago, we were struggling to build CMOS circuits operating at 1 GHz. Now we are building circuits working at frequencies that are 10,000 times higher.” he added.
There are numerous applications of the device, such as:
- Imaging animals near a road while driving at night.
- Imaging intruders in darkness by military.
- Providing light for night hiking.
- Estimating how many people are in a room to better control heating, air conditioning and light.
- Even for ghost hunting.
Dr. Robert Doering, research strategy manager at Texas Instruments said that “This technology could provide a very superior means to use the infrared portion of the spectrum,”. “Electronic control of generating infrared directly from CMOS integrated circuits will enable a wide variety of important new applications.” he added.
Realizing CMOS devices that can reach even higher frequencies, up to 40 THz will be the next step.
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