Nordic Sensors N25E-SWIR Short-Wave Infrared Enhanced Hyperspectral Imaging Instrument

Overview

The Nordic Sensors N25E-SWIR is a short-wave infrared (SWIR) enhanced hyperspectral imaging instrument engineered for high-fidelity spectral-spatial data acquisition in the 1000–2500 nm range. It integrates a precision ImSpector-type imaging spectrograph with a thermoelectrically cooled Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT) focal plane array, enabling simultaneous capture of spatially resolved spectral signatures across a broad SWIR band. Unlike conventional broadband or multispectral systems, the N25E-SWIR employs push-broom scanning architecture—where spectral dispersion occurs along one axis and spatial information is captured along the orthogonal axis—ensuring pixel-aligned spectral cubes without interpolation artifacts. This architecture supports quantitative reflectance, transmittance, and emissivity analysis under controlled illumination or ambient conditions. The system’s f/2.0 aperture and >50% optical throughput ensure high photon collection efficiency, critical for low-light or fast-scanning applications such as real-time process monitoring or field-deployable mineral identification.

Key Features

• SWIR-optimized optical design covering 1000–2500 nm with 10 nm spectral resolution and 6.3 nm sampling interval, enabling discrimination of molecular overtones and combination bands (e.g., C–H, O–H, N–H vibrations)
• Thermoelectrically cooled MCT detector (320 × 256 active pixels, 30 × 30 µm pitch) delivering stable dark current performance and eliminating the need for liquid nitrogen or cryogenic compressors
• High-speed acquisition at up to 100 full-frame spectra per second, compatible with conveyor-based industrial inspection and UAV-mounted remote sensing platforms
• Low stray light (<0.5%) and calibrated spectral response, supporting trace-level chemical quantification in compliance with ASTM E131 and ISO 18373 standards for spectral instrument validation
• C-mount lens interface and standardized LVDS digital output facilitate integration into existing machine vision frameworks and custom OEM systems
• Robust mechanical housing rated for operation in environments compliant with IEC 60529 IP52 specifications, suitable for laboratory, cleanroom, and semi-industrial settings

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The N25E-SWIR accommodates solid, liquid, and powdered samples without contact or sample preparation when used with appropriate illumination geometry (e.g., 45°/0° reflectance, transmission cells, or integrating spheres). Its spectral coverage enables non-destructive analysis of polymers, pharmaceutical tablets, agricultural biomass, geological specimens, and recycled plastics. The instrument meets essential electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements per EN 61326-1 and safety standards per IEC 61010-1. While not inherently FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant, its raw data output format (IEEE 754 floating-point ENVI-compatible .hdr/.raw) supports integration into validated LIMS or ELN platforms where audit trails, electronic signatures, and data integrity controls are implemented at the software layer per GLP/GMP guidelines.

Software & Data Management

The N25E-SWIR operates with Nordic Sensors’ SpectraView Suite—a modular application suite supporting real-time preview, radiometric calibration, spectral library matching (via dot-product, SID, or SAM algorithms), and batch cube processing. All acquired data are stored in open-format binary files with embedded metadata (wavelength vectors, exposure time, detector temperature, slit width), ensuring reproducibility and traceability. SDKs (C/C++, Python, MATLAB) provide direct access to frame buffers and hardware control registers, enabling custom algorithm deployment and integration with industrial PLCs or SCADA systems. Data export options include CSV, HDF5, and GeoTIFF (with georeferencing support for airborne configurations), facilitating interoperability with ENVI, QGIS, and Python-based scikit-learn or TensorFlow workflows.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical quality control: Identification of API crystallinity, excipient distribution, and coating uniformity in tablet film layers
• Agricultural phenotyping: Quantification of leaf water content, nitrogen status, and stress-induced biochemical shifts via SWIR absorption features
• Mineralogical mapping: Discrimination of clay species (kaolinite, smectite), carbonates, and hydroxides in core scanning and outcrop analysis
• Recycling sorting: Real-time classification of PET, PVC, PP, and HDPE based on distinct C–H stretching harmonics between 1600–1800 nm
• Art conservation: Non-invasive pigment identification and underdrawing visualization beneath varnish layers
• Defense & surveillance: Camouflage detection and material anomaly screening using spectral contrast in atmospheric windows (1550 nm, 2200 nm)

FAQ

What cooling method does the N25E-SWIR use, and how does it affect operational stability?

The detector employs single-stage thermoelectric (TE) cooling, maintaining the MCT array at –20°C ± 1°C. This ensures <10 e⁻ RMS dark noise over 10-ms exposures and eliminates thermal drift during extended acquisitions.
Is the system compatible with third-party lenses beyond C-mount?

Yes—C-mount provides mechanical and flange-distance standardization; however, optical performance must be verified for SWIR transmission (e.g., fused silica or CaF₂ elements required beyond 1800 nm).
Can spectral calibration be performed in-house?

Yes—the system includes factory-calibrated wavelength and radiometric references; users may perform routine verification using NIST-traceable tungsten-halogen and rare-earth oxide sources.
Does the instrument support synchronization with external triggers or motion stages?

Yes—TTL-compatible trigger input/output ports enable precise coordination with linear stages, rotary encoders, or pulsed illumination sources for synchronized line-scan acquisition.
What is the typical data throughput rate via LVDS interface?

At full frame (320 × 256 × 14-bit), sustained transfer exceeds 115 MB/s, requiring PCIe-based frame grabbers with ≥2-lane LVDS receivers for lossless streaming.