World’s thinnest IR sensor

[HighVoltage]

Last week I went to the Sensor+Test trade show in Nuernberg/Germany to look at the latest in sensor electronics.
Besides a few nice items, I came across this Swedish company that produces the worlds smallest IR sensor (so they claim)
At 3x3 mm and 0.2mm thick and flexible they might be the smallest IS sensor, I do not know.

I really do not have a need, but found them extremely interesting.
May be someone here is interested in theses sensors:

http://www.jondetech.se/products/

From their website:
The world’s thinnest IR sensor

Still_Structure_thinJON DE TECH’s new generation thermopiles generates a direct, proportional voltage response when subjected to infrared radiation heat. The sensors registers wavelengths from 250nm – 22,5µm i.e visual light up to the mid infrared region. The unique geometrical configuration where the thermocouples are “vertically” arranged makes it possible to also use it as a heat flux sensor, i.e. the heat gradient over the thickness of the thermopile chip is actually measured.

FormfactorThe sensor it is less than 0.2 mm. thin and it is made using plastic membrane. This configuration make the sensor so robust it can be used “bare” – without protective housing such as a metal container.

Performance of the sensors is illustrated in the following video.
Key features of the JON DE TECH thermopile

    Made to fit – Thickness of the sensor is only 0.17 mm, robust and bendable
    Easy to mount – The sensors can be surface mounted to most PCBs
    Multi measurements – The sensor can be used to measure both thermal radiation and heat flux
    Minimal footprint – Standard module dimensions are 3×3 mm (JIRS3) and 5×5 mm (JIRS5)
    Fully customizable – Can be manufactured in any desirable shape
    Specific detectivity in the range of D*=1e7 to 2e7 cm?Hz/W
    Voltage response to irradiance for 5×5 mm sensor area: Iv=>12 Vmm2/W
    Arrays of sensors can be mounted side-by-side on a PCB to create the required detector area

The JIRS3 and JIRS5 sensors

JON DE TECH thermopile heat sensing products: the JIRS3 and JIRS5 detectors, are so called thermal radiation sensors. The differences between these two products are the sensor area (footprint),3×3 and 5×5 mm respectively, and the sensitivity. The larger the sensor area, the higher the performance, i.e. voltage response to IR-radiation.

[LukeW]

"The sensors registers wavelengths from 250nm – 22,5µm"

A single device that works from deep in the long-wave infrared well up through visible light and up into the hard ultraviolet spectrum? Sounds like a bit of a bold claim.
There are no materials I can think of that would give you a transparent window across that entire spectrum.

[Zero999]

"The sensors registers wavelengths from 250nm – 22,5µm"

A single device that works from deep in the long-wave infrared well up through visible light and up into the hard ultraviolet spectrum? Sounds like a bit of a bold claim.
There are no materials I can think of that would give you a transparent window across that entire spectrum.

I doubt it uses any transparent materials.

The blurb says it use thermopiles which monitor the temperature rise due to electromagnetic radiation being absorbed. It should work at any wavelength the sensor material absorbs effectively at.

[HighVoltage]

yes, they actually explained that the sensor is based on thermopiles, which in general is not new.
What was new and surprising to me, was the small size and thickness and flexibility.
They offered sample kits and I ordered one, just for fun.
When it comes, I will post some pictures.