Focal plane arrays are widely used by the U.S. military and others for night vision goggles, ocular devices, and weapon sights. These sensors detect wavelengths in the near and far infrared that are not visible to the naked eye. These devices can operate in starlight or even darker conditions. The signal-to-noise ratio for sensors is dependent on dark current, which is the current that flows when there is no signal present and hence is a function of the temperature.  Cooling the detector greatly reduces the amount of dark current thus improving the signal-to-noise ratio, along with the accuracy and sensitivity of the device.

Nextreme’s thermal bump technology and versatile product line uses solid-state thin-film thermoelectric materials and micro-fabrication techniques to embed cooling and temperature control capabilities at the die module and system level.

Nextreme has devised novel methods for removing the heat from sensors including the removal of heat from the front side, back side or even laterally through the use of a transposer.  The use of Nextreme’s technology can dramatically reduce power consumption and weight, and improve overall performance.

Nextreme Products for Focal Plane Sensors

UPF4 – small enough to be embedded into a TO-56 or TO-8 can. More >

Custom Modules - provides the customer with a device optimized for thermal management, efficiency and form factor. More >