See beyond the surface

Step into the captivating world of photonics as it revolutionizes the way we ensure food quality and sorting. In this enlightening video, we explore the powerful role of photonics technology in the food industry and its incredible impact on enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and consumer safety.

See how photonic technologies can "see beyond the surface" as food defects are found that the human eye cannot see.

Witness firsthand how this cutting-edge technology is transforming food quality control, facilitating seamless sorting operations, and ultimately delivering healthier, safer, and more consistent products to our tables.

Moisture content can greatly influence the quality and shelf life of agricultural products. The slight trace of additional moisture can indicate the start of mold. A bruise indicates that oxygen has penetrated the skin or peel into the fruit. Bruised fruit or vegetables will have brown spots and/or eventually turn completely brown. While most are safe to eat, bruised fruit are not aesthetically appealing or can be over-ripe. A bruised fruit or vegetable should be filtered out during the sorting and inspection process as it could indicate mold or be over-ripe.

Food Sorting And Inspection-Apple 1

Visible wavelength image of an apple.

Infrared image of an apple, taken with CR12741-03 InGaAs camera, shows hidden defects.

Infrared image of an apple, taken with C12741-03 InGaAs camera, shows hidden defects.

As fruits and vegetables travel down the conveyor belt, to optimize the food sorting inspection process, it is necessary to place different high-speed imaging devices at strategic locations on the conveyor belt. These sensors will automatically scan produce, detecting visible and invisible defects on produce that should be filtered out so they do not reach the store.

InGas Conveyer Belt

As apples travel down the conveyor belt, they are scanned using InGaAs and CMOS cameras. The InGaAs camera will show defects beginning to form under the skin that a human eye cannot see; the CMOS camera will show visible defects.

InGaAs detectors and cameras for SWIR imaging

Our line of InGaAs array detectors (InGaAs image sensors) feature:

High sensitivity in the NIR and SWIR regions up to 2.55 µm
Low readout noise
Low dark noise
High-speed response
Built-in CMOS circuits for simple operation and easy signal processing
Linear and area arrays available

InGaAs linear image sensors are suitable for in-line sorting of agricultural products because of their high-speed line rate and high sensitivity. They are available in a variety of cutoff wavelengths, pixel counts, and line readout speeds. Most of our linear image sensors have a metal or ceramic package, but we also offer ones with a flexible plastic cable as a less expensive option.

InGaAs area image sensors are suitable for hyperspectral imaging. High-speed frame rate, low readout noise, and high sensitivity characterize these area arrays. They are available in various cutoff wavelengths, pixel arrays, and frame rates.

Our line of InGaAs cameras feature:

High sensitivity from 950 to 1700 nm
Low readout noise
High dynamic range
USB 3.0
Compact and light body
Custom solutions

InGaAs cameras provide plug-and-play solutions using 1D InGaAs image sensors or 2D InGaAs image sensors. Also they are an easy solution for multispectral/ hyperspectral imaging cameras to be built based on the original camera.

We offer a broad selection of standard InGaAs products, but if they do not fit your requirements exactly, we can offer customized solutions.

Recommended products

CMOS linear image sensors

These are suitable for UV-VIS measurement in food inspection applications. CMOS sensors designed for spectroscopy and those designed for high-speed, in-line scanning are available.

CMOS linear image sensor S14417-02

128-pixel CMOS linear image sensor with large pixels and low power consumption.

With 127 × 127 µm pixels and a 10 MHz data rate, the S14417 is ideal for applications that benefit from high light sensitivity and simple integration.

CMOS linear image sensor S14416-02

256-pixel CMOS sensor with compact pixel size for higher resolution.

With 63.5 × 63.5 µm pixels and a 10 MHz data rate, the S14416-02 provides improved resolution over the S14417 while keeping power consumption and design complexity low.

CMOS linear image sensor S13774

Developed for industrial cameras, this 4096-pixel CMOS sensor features integrated A/D conversion for high-speed, high-resolution imaging.

Featuring ultra-small 7 × 7 µm pixels, 100 klines/s speed, and built-in 10/12-bit A/D converters, the S13774 is built for high-speed, high-resolution imaging systems.

CMOS linear image sensor S14417-06

Higher resolution version of the S14417 with 384 pixels.

Maintaining the same 127 µm pixel size, this model triples the pixel count for improved coverage without sacrificing simplicity or power efficiency.

CMOS linear image sensor S14416-06

High-resolution 768-pixel CMOS sensor with compact pixels.

The highest-resolution model in the S14416 line, ideal for applications needing fine detail and fast, low-power performance with 63.5 µm pixel size.

CMOS area image sensors

Designed to be integrated into cameras, these CMOS area arrays offer imaging capability across a wide spectral range from UV to NIR.

S14501

CMOS area image sensor S14501

The S14501 features a 2560 × 2048 pixel array and 3.2 μm pixel pitch, delivering high resolution and sensitivity for applications like machine vision, microscopy, and scientific imaging. Its larger format and built-in A/D conversion support detailed, efficient image capture.

S14250

CMOS area image sensor S14250

With a 2048 × 1088 pixel array and 2.8 μm pixel pitch, the S14250 offers fast, reliable imaging in compact systems. Ideal for embedded vision and industrial use, it combines a small footprint with integrated A/D conversion for streamlined performance.

InGaAs linear image sensors

Their sensitivity and fast speed make these InGaAs linear image sensors appropriate for in-line sorting of food based on NIR and SWIR detection. For conveyor belt, in-line inspection, 40K lps.

InGaAs linear image sensor G14714-1024DK

With a 25 μm pixel pitch and 1024 active pixels, the G14714-1024DK delivers high spatial resolution and a wide detection width, making it ideal for hyperspectral imaging, precision optical sorting, and detailed NIR analysis.

Need fine detail and resolution? Go with the G14714-1024DK.

InGaAs linear image sensor G14714-512DE

The G14714-512DE features a 50 μm pixel pitch and 512 pixels, offering greater sensitivity per pixel and faster readout performance. It’s well-suited for real-time monitoring tasks such as moisture content inspection, NIR spectroscopy, and web inspection in industrial settings.

Need speed and sensitivity? The G14714-512DE is your match.

InGaAs area image sensors

Suitable for hyperspectral imaging, InGaAs area image sensors have high sensitivity and fast frame rates.

InGaAs area image sensor G14671-0808W

A high-speed, cost-effective InGaAs area sensor designed for near-infrared (NIR) imaging in the 0.95–1.69 µm range. With a frame rate of 507 fps, low dark current (0.03–0.3 pA), and two-stage thermoelectric cooling, it’s well-suited for general-purpose NIR applications that require fast performance and low noise without extended wavelength sensitivity.

InGaAs area image sensor G14673-0808W

Extends detection into the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) region with a 1.30–2.15 µm spectral range. Maintaining a frame rate of 507 fps, it’s optimized for applications like chemical imaging or semiconductor inspection where broader SWIR sensitivity is critical. Dark current ranges from 0.3 to 30 pA, and it features the same robust two-stage TE cooling.

InGaAs area image sensor G14672-0808W

Offers balanced NIR performance with a spectral response from 1.12–1.85 µm. It combines moderate dark current (~0.3 pA), a fast 509 fps frame rate, and the same two-stage cooling for stability. This model is ideal for applications that demand a trade-off between high sensitivity and broad wavelength coverage without pushing into the deeper SWIR range.

InGaAs area image sensor G14674-0808W

Delivers the deepest spectral reach in the series, covering 1.70–2.55 µm for advanced SWIR imaging tasks. Also operating at 507 fps with dark current from 0.3 to 30 pA, this model is suited for specialized applications requiring deep infrared detection, such as thermal analysis, material characterization, or water content measurement.

InGaAs cameras

Suitable for plug-and-play solution with high sensitivity InGaAs image sensors built in.

c15333-10e04-02 product photo

InGaAs line scan camera C15333-10E04-02

A high-speed InGaAs line scan camera optimized for short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) imaging, covering a spectral range from 950 nm to 1700 nm. Featuring a 1024-pixel linear array with 12.5 μm pixel pitch, it achieves a maximum line rate of 40 kHz. Its compact design and Gigabit Ethernet interface make it ideal for in-line, non-destructive inspection applications such as semiconductor wafer pattern inspection, food quality control, and material sorting. Advanced image processing functions like background subtraction and real-time shading correction enhance image quality for precise analysis.

c12741-03-02 product photo

InGaAs camera C12741-03-02

A versatile InGaAs area scan camera with sensitivity in the near-infrared region from 950 nm to 1700 nm. It offers a resolution of 640 × 512 pixels with 20 μm pixel size, providing a balance between image detail and sensitivity. The camera supports both analog (EIA) and USB 3.0 interfaces, facilitating integration into various systems. With a frame rate of approximately 60 frames per second and features like Peltier cooling for low noise performance, it's suitable for applications including internal inspection of silicon wafers, evaluation of solar cells, and analysis of optical communication devices.

c14041-10u-02 product photo

InGaAs camera C14041-10U-02

A high-speed InGaAs area scan camera designed for near-infrared imaging between 950 nm and 1700 nm. It features a resolution of 320 × 256 pixels with 20 μm pixel size and supports both rolling and global shutter modes. The camera achieves a frame rate of approximately 216 frames per second in rolling shutter mode, making it suitable for applications requiring rapid image acquisition. Its USB 3.0 interface ensures easy connectivity, and Peltier cooling maintains low noise levels for high-quality imaging in tasks such as laser beam alignment, inspection of silicon wafers, and evaluation of solar cells.