Applications
What is so special about MCT?
HgCdTe is the preferred material for producing infrared detectors due to its widely adjustable direct band-gap possibilities as well as excellent electrical properties, high absorption coefficient and moderate thermal expansion. Different cut off wavelengths (ranging from 2 to 25 micron) can be achieved by changing the composition ratio (called "X") of CdTe to HgTe.
Leading producers of IR detectors appreciate that with bulk-grown HgCdTe there is no compromise in lattice-matching to different substrates, nor response variation through thickness. That is why they come to the only independent supplier of this material… Spitfire Semiconductors Ltd.
Leading research in 2003 demonstrated further advantages of Spitfire HgCdTe over LPE and MBE (EPI) alternatives and with substantially reduced overall cost. Thanks to our unique crystal growing process, we can supply exceptionally uniform and very pure material.
University of Western Australia review novel HgCdTe bulk grown process The University of Western Australia have carried out a review of a novel HgCdTe bulk grown process developed by Spitfire Semiconductors and concluded that Spitfire's bulk grown HgCdTe material shows excellent characteristics... See pdf file here (right click to download 784kb)
Major application of the MCT photoconductive and photovoltaic detectors:
- Analytical Instruments
- Condition monitoring
- Film thickness gaugers
- FTIR Spectroscopy
- Gas Analysis Identification by IR signature
- Laser Detection
- Laser power monitors
- Line Scanner Medical
- Thermography Nondestructive testing
- Pollution Monitoring
- Process control
- Radiometry
- Remote sensing
- Research Spectrophotometers
- Thermometers
- Veterinary medicine
Thermal imaging applications:
- Building inspection
- Exploration and mining
- Food processing control
- IR Microscopy
- Manufacturing process control
- Marine Surveying
- Medical imaging (eg Infrared Mammography)
- Monitoring high-temperature equipment
- Night vision
- Fire service (seeing people through smoke)
- R&D/Testing
- Surveillance in security, law enforcement and defense
- Veterinarian