Integrated Infrared- and Visible-Image Sensors

Integrated circuits capable of sensing both infrared and visible images have been proposed. Until now, the usual practice for simultaneous imaging at both infrared and visible wavelengths in the same camera has involved splitting of the optical path into an infrared and a visible branch, each containing a separate image sensor optimized for its wavelength range. In contrast, each of the proposed image sensors would include pixel detectors for both wavelength ranges, and sensors could be designed to operate with or without splitting of optical paths.