Cost-Effective Alternative to InGaAs Sensors

Beam Profiler With Quantum Dot Technology Cost-Effective Alternative to InGaAs Sensors

2026-01-26 From Hendrik Härter | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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Thanks to their customized optical properties, MKS beam profilers are an alternative to conventional InGaAs sensors. This makes them interesting for lidar applications in industry and defense.

The Ophir SP301Q CQD uses koolidal quantum dots. Thanks to its customized optical properties, the beam profile measuring device is an alternative to InGaAs sensors.

(Image: MKS)

While the industry still relies on expensive InGaAs sensors, MKS is taking a different approach: The Ophir SP301Q CQD presented at SPIE Photonics West 2026 uses colloidal quantum dots and could thus herald a paradigm shift in beam profile measurement.

Colloidal quantum dots are tiny semiconductor nanoparticles that are produced in solution. Their special property: depending on their size, they react to different wavelengths of light. These customized optical properties make them the ideal alternative for traditional InGaAs sensors.

For critical applications at 1,550 nm

The system will be of particular interest to developers of autonomous vehicles and lidar systems. The wavelength of 1,550 nm is the gold standard for so-called eye-safe automotive lidar, as these lasers are 100 times more eye-safe than 940 nm systems and can recognize their surroundings through fog, rain and darkness. Companies such as Coherent/TriEye and MicroVision are already using 1,550nm FMCW lidar for the next generation of autonomous vehicles.

Concrete developer benefits:

Automotive validation: Characterization of lidar beams for coherent detection and ranging (FMCW lidar)
Telecom integration: Optimization of 1,550 nm fiber lasers in the C-band for data transmission
Military applications: Beam shaping for target illumination without export restrictions

ITAR-free alternative creates global availability

"While InGaAs cameras are subject to ITAR restrictions and therefore block exports to many countries, our CQD system opens up global markets," explains Sven Kern, Regional Ophir Sales Manager at MKS. The system with a resolution of 640 x 512 pixels and an active area of 0.38 in × 0.30 in covers 400 to 1,700 nm. However, this is significantly cheaper with comparable performance to InGaAs.

The quantum dot technology of MKS is not developed for military use and therefore falls under the less restrictive EAR regulations (Export Administration Regulations) instead of ITAR.

Technical Context

CQD sensors are one of the key technologies for the next generation of photonics. While traditional InGaAs sensors are limited by material costs and export restrictions, synthetic quantum dots enable customized spectral ranges with industrial scalability.

The system comes with ISO-11146-3 compliant Ophir BeamGage Professional software and GigE interface for industrial integration. (heh)

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