Sofradir, a developer and manufacturer of advanced infrared detectors, announced today that it has signed a one million Euros (USD 1.3 million) contract with a worldwide supplier of electro-optic space and defense systems. Under the contract, Sofradir will provide large format, 30 micron pixel pitch shortwave infrared detectors (SWIR) for hyperspectral application in airborne platforms.

The Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT) focal plane array (FPA) to be supplied, Saturn SWIR, is one of the largest monolithic formats on the market, 1000 x 256, and Sofradir is the only manufacturer to have a space-qualified FPA of this size available, off-the-shelf. Saturn will play a key role in the initial testing phase of the customer's hyperspectral system on aircraft. For Sofradir, this contract offers the potential for further collaboration on projects for space applications, in the future.

Hyperspectral imagery is used to detect chemical and biological weapons, make bomb damage assessment of underground structures and penetrate foliage to detect troops and vehicles. Hyperspectral instruments provide images of an observed scene with a high number of spectral channels (typically more than 100) and with a high spectral resolution (typically 10 to 15 nm) in the considered waveband. Sofradir sees continuing growth of hyperspectral vision in satellites, where various technologies are being tried. The company is already engaged in a number of space projects, including the European Space Agency's Airborne Prism Experiment (Apex) mission, where Saturn is being used.

"Sofradir was chosen for this project because we have a ready-to-go large format product, along with quality references in space applications," Philippe Bensussan, CEO at Sofradir. "We are saving our customer valuable time in development, as well as associated costs, and we are delighted to be able to help them achieve their objectives faster."

Saturn was designed to be a versatile FPA in order to meet any number of mission requirements with different operating conditions. It operates in the IR optical window range from 0.8 - 3 microns and has an operating temperature up to 200 K (-73,15 °C).

About MCT technology
Sofradir's hybridization MCT technology, is a silicon-like implantation process that it is high yield and has well-established, simplified steps. MCT technology is able to cover all the useful waveband of the infrared spectrum, from the visible (0.4 microns) to non-visible (15 microns).

Sofradir is one of the few manufacturers to produce very large focal plan arrays integrated in tactical dewars, which is a result its skill and experience in components technology, and also mechanical and cryogenic technologies.

Sofradir's manufacturing facilities are located near Grenoble, France. Sofradir and Ulis employ 350 people. www.sofradir.com
 

Keywords : Sofradir, IR, IR detectors

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