SWIR Camera Market Performance Amid the Ongoing Pandemic

Short-wave infrared (SWIR) light is generally defined as light in the (0.9 – 1.7)μm wavelength range. However, it can also be sorted from (0.7 – 2.5)μm. Since the upper limit of silicon sensors is around 1.0μm, SWIR imaging requires unique optical and electronic components that can operate in a specific SWIR range.

Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs) sensors are the primary sensors used in SWIR imaging and are responsible for the common SWIR range. However, it can range from as low as 550nm to as high as 2.5μm. While linear line-scan InGaAs sensors are commercially available, area-scan InGaAs sensors are generally ITAR-limited. International Treaty and Arms Regulations (ITAR), enforced by the Government of the United States of America. ITAR-restricted products must comply with strict import and export regulations before they can be manufactured and/or sold inside or outside the United States. However, lenses such as SWIR lenses can be used in many commercial applications with proper licensing.

SWIR cameras are used as autonomous devices and integrate with a variety of devices used in security and surveillance, military, machine vision, medical, spectroscopy, photovoltaics, thermal imaging, telecommunications, and instrumentation. They are used to capture and find radiation invisible to the human eye and capture it. SWIR cameras, such as cooled and uncooled cameras, are mainly used in residential, commercial, military, and industrial manufacturing fields due to factors such as low price, lightweight, and low power consumption.

Unlike mid-wave infrared (MWIR) and long-wave infrared (LWIR) light that is generated by the object itself, SWIR is similar to visible light in that photons are reflected or absorbed by the object, providing the sharp contrast-resolution imaging needed for high contrast. Ambient starlight and background radiation (night light) are natural emitters of SWIR and provide excellent illumination for outdoor and nighttime imaging.

It is important to use lenses that are designed, optimized, and coated for the SWIR wavelength range. Using a lens designed for the visible spectrum will result in lower-resolution images and improved optical quirks. Since SWIR wavelengths are transmitted through glass, lenses, and other optical components (filters, windows, etc.) slices within a system.

According to a detailed report by DataIntelo, the global Shortwave Infrared SWIR Camera Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 8% during the forecast period 2020 to 2026. Surging government investments in military equipment is expected to be a major growth factor for the short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera market.

Top market players such as FLIR Systems and Hamamatsu Photonics are relying on multiple factors to strengthen their grip on the global market space. For example, governments around the world are taking many steps to incorporate next-generation technology into military technology, including key defense equipment such as guns, fighter platforms, and short-wave infrared cameras, to improve the accuracy of information received. This is one of the major factors supporting the growth of market players.

Suppliers of SWIR camera equipment and core components are witnessing the greatest demand from developed and developing economies such as Germany, China, and Russia. The U.S., China, Saudi Arabia, the U.K., and Russia are among the countries that spend huge sums in their defense budgets.

Based on an optimistic scenario, the global SWIR camera market is expected to continue to be greatly impacted by COVID-19 in the first quarter of 2020, with demand expected to rise from the second quarter onwards.

Under the high probability scenario, the market expects that the crisis will still be strongly affected by the second quarter, and the situation will ease from the third quarter.

Based on product type, the global SWIR camera market is segmented into SWIR area cameras and SWIR line cameras. SWIR area cameras are primarily used in industrial manufacturing, military and defense, scientific research, and life sciences as they provide fast and accurate images of defined areas. Additionally, these SWIR cameras can be easily mounted and can provide segmented images that help detect specific objects.

Based on region, the market is segmented into Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. Asia Pacific is expected to gain a substantial market share during the forecast period; this is attributed to rising economies in the region, such as India and China, which are investing extensively to enhance their military capabilities.

The above briefly introduces the SWIR camera market performance in the ongoing pandemic. If you want to customize a SWIR camera, please contact us.

JAVOL is a professional custom infrared imaging equipment manufacturer, which can design, develop and manufacture advanced imaging technology products and system solutions based on low-light night vision technology, infrared thermal imaging technology, short-wave infrared technology, and multi-spectral fusion technology. In the future, we will continue to develop new solutions, enrich different models and functions to meet different application scenarios, enhance artificial intelligence and image enhancement algorithms, and provide our valued customers with humanized products and applications.