An Expanding List of Practical SWIR Applications

The list of applications for the Short Wave Infrared is limitless. The SWIR cameras have been used in paper manufacturing to observe moisture content, sorting plastics in recycling and in art restoration for looking through paint pigments to charcoal underdrawings.

The SWIR applications are too numerous to list here but they break into several categories:

• Spectroscopy for sorting
• Moisture detection
• Thermal imaging
• Imaging what can’t be seen in visible
• Night vision
• Imaging lasers

SWIR cameras have the advantage of being able to be used with glass and plastic optics instead of expensive Germanium or exotic materials used with longer wavelength infrared detectors. This makes them able to work in industrial environments where the cameras can be placed behind glass shields or with long or wide lenses.