Hamamatsu P13243-011MA InAsSb Photovoltaic Infrared Detector
| Brand | Hamamatsu |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Product Category | Imported |
| Model | P13243-011MA |
| Price Range | USD 700 – 1,400 (FOB Yokohama) |
| Active Area | 0.7 × 0.7 mm² |
| Pixel Count | 1 |
| Package Type | Hermetically Sealed Metal Can |
| Cooling | Uncooled |
| Cutoff Wavelength (Typ.) | 5.3 µm |
| Peak Spectral Response | 3.5 µm |
| Responsivity (Typ.) | 0.0045 A/W @ 3.5 µm, Ta = 25 °C |
| Shunt Resistance (Typ.) | > 50 kΩ |
| Rise Time (Typ.) | < 100 ns |
| Operating Temperature Range | –40 °C to +85 °C |
Overview
The Hamamatsu P13243-011MA is a single-element, uncooled photovoltaic infrared (IR) detector fabricated from indium arsenide antimonide (InAsSb) — a ternary III–V semiconductor engineered for high responsivity and fast temporal response in the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) spectral region. Unlike thermopile or pyroelectric detectors, this device operates on the photovoltaic principle: incident photons with energy exceeding the material’s bandgap generate electron–hole pairs at the p–n junction, producing a measurable photocurrent without external bias. Its cutoff wavelength of 5.3 µm enables detection of key molecular absorption features—including CO, NO, SO₂, CH₄, and hydrocarbon vapors—making it especially suitable for non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) gas sensing architectures used in fixed and portable environmental monitoring systems.
Key Features
- Uncooled operation: Eliminates need for thermoelectric coolers (TECs) or liquid nitrogen, reducing power consumption, system complexity, and long-term maintenance.
- High shunt resistance (> 50 kΩ typ.): Minimizes Johnson–Nyquist noise and improves signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), critical for low-concentration gas quantification.
- Fast rise time (< 100 ns typ.): Supports high-frequency modulation schemes (e.g., 1–10 kHz chopping) to suppress 1/f noise and enable lock-in amplification in NDIR transceivers.
- Compact hermetic metal-can package: Provides mechanical robustness and long-term stability under industrial humidity and thermal cycling conditions (–40 °C to +85 °C operating range).
- Optimized responsivity (0.0045 A/W @ 3.5 µm): Matches peak absorption bands of common toxic and combustible gases, enabling high-sensitivity detection at sub-ppm levels when paired with appropriate optical filters and reference channels.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The P13243-011MA is designed for integration into OEM gas analyzer modules compliant with IEC 60079-29-1 (explosive atmospheres – gas detectors), EN 50194-1 (residential CO alarms), and UL 2075 (gas and vapor detectors). Its spectral response aligns with ISO 8573-5 (compressed air purity – hydrocarbon measurement) and ASTM D6245 (indoor air quality – CO monitoring). The detector requires no user calibration; however, full-system validation per ISO/IEC 17025 must be performed by end-equipment manufacturers to meet regulatory reporting requirements for ambient air quality networks (e.g., EPA Method TO-15, EU Directive 2008/50/EC).
Software & Data Management
As a component-level sensor, the P13243-011MA does not include embedded firmware or digital interfaces. It outputs analog photocurrent proportional to incident IR irradiance. Integration requires external transimpedance amplification, temperature compensation (via integrated NTC or RTD), and analog-to-digital conversion. Hamamatsu provides SPICE-compatible electrical models and spectral responsivity curves (CSV format) for system-level simulation in MATLAB/Simulink and Keysight PathWave. For traceable calibration, users may reference Hamamatsu’s NIST-traceable calibration reports (available upon request), supporting GLP-compliant instrument qualification protocols and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 audit trails when implemented within validated analyzer platforms.
Applications
- Fixed-site NDIR gas analyzers for continuous emissions monitoring (CEMS) of stack effluents (CO, NOₓ, SO₂).
- Portable multi-gas detectors for occupational safety (confined space entry, refinery perimeter monitoring).
- Indoor air quality (IAQ) sensors in HVAC control systems targeting CO₂-equivalent estimation via hydrocarbon proxy detection.
- Leak detection systems for natural gas distribution networks using methane-specific optical filtering.
- Research-grade spectroscopic setups requiring stable, low-noise MWIR detection without cryogenic infrastructure.
FAQ
Is the P13243-011MA RoHS and REACH compliant?
Yes — Hamamatsu certifies all P13243-series detectors as fully compliant with EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and REACH Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, including SVHC screening.
Can this detector be used in vacuum environments?
No — the metal-can package is rated for ambient pressure only; prolonged exposure to vacuum may compromise hermeticity and accelerate aging of internal passivation layers.
What is the recommended optical configuration for optimal SNR?
A collimated beam with f-number ≤ 2.0, coupled through a narrowband interference filter centered at 3.5 µm ± 50 nm, is recommended. Avoid direct coupling to blackbody sources without spectral filtering.
Does Hamamatsu provide evaluation boards for this detector?
Not for the P13243-011MA specifically; however, Hamamatsu offers generic uncooled IR evaluation kits (e.g., C13650 series) compatible with photovoltaic detectors of similar package footprint and electrical characteristics.
How does temperature drift affect responsivity?
Responsivity decreases by approximately –0.15 %/°C near room temperature; system-level compensation using an on-board temperature sensor is strongly advised for applications requiring better than ±2 % measurement accuracy across operational temperature ranges.
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