Ge-based SWIR sensor with novel pixel design solving reverse current challenge
STRATIO introduces an advanced Ge-based SWIR sensor featuring a unique pixel structure to overcome reverse current issues. This CMOS-compatible solution offers a low-cost, high-performance alternative to InGaAs, with applications in material identification and imaging.
Overview
STRATIO has developed a groundbreaking Ge-based SWIR sensor that presents a cost-effective, high-performance alternative to traditional InGaAs sensors. By utilizing germanium (Ge) grown on silicon (Si) through epitaxy, this solution achieves monolithic integration of sensor arrays with Si circuitry, eliminating thermal mismatch issues and enhancing mechanical stability. The result is a reliable, scalable, and high-performing full-HD imager with a 12μm pixel pitch that meets growing demand for SWIR applications in material identification and imaging.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Germanium (Ge) as the SWIR material, grown on silicon (Si) via epitaxy for seamless integration
- Novel Gate-Controlled Charge Modulation Device (GCMD) structure reduces dark current, inspired by CCD technology
- Full-HD resolution with 12μm pixel pitch
- Wafer-scale fabrication process ensuring scalability and reliability
- Covers SWIR wavelength range of 1200–1700 nm with wafer-level bandpass filters
- Fully CMOS-compatible, offering a lightweight, low-power alternative to InGaAs
Technology readiness level
The Ge-based SWIR sensor technology from STRATIO is at TRL 6, having been recognized for its innovative approach in both academia and industry. The company plans semi-mass production and further development in collaboration with a commercial foundry to enhance spectral performance and market readiness by Q2 2025.
About STRATIO, INC.
Stratio, Inc. is a deep-tech company based in Silicon Valley that designs and manufactures infrared sensors and AI-assisted imaging solutions. The company specializes in developing proprietary germanium-based short-wave infrared (SWIR) sensors, which offer a compact, energy-efficient, and cost-effective alternative to traditional indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) technology. To support its innovations, the firm operates the Stratio Technology Nanofabrication Facility (STNF), a cleanroom facility in California that provides in-house control over device fabrication and quality. Its product portfolio includes handheld spectrometers like LinkSquare and smartphone-compatible SWIR cameras such as BeyonSense, both integrated with machine learning capabilities for diverse applications.
These technologies enable users to detect features invisible to the naked eye, addressing critical needs in fields such as agriculture, intellectual property protection, and quality inspection. Stratio’s solutions serve government, corporate, and research partners by helping to automate processes like soil organic carbon monitoring, plastic sorting, and the identification of design infringements at border checkpoints. By reducing the complexity and expense typically associated with infrared imaging, the company aims to broaden accessibility to these diagnostic tools, supporting industries that require reliable material analysis and visual authentication in professional and field-based environments.
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