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    1550nm SWIR Technology | Covert Surveillance & Imaging
    SHORTWAVE INFRARED · SWIR TECHNOLOGY

    1550nm
    SWIR

    Wavelength: 1550 nm · Class: SWIR · Visibility: 0%

    UV VIS (Visible) NIR 850–940nm ← 1550nm SWIR
    1550nm
    1550
    Wavelength (nm)
    %0
    Human Eye Perception
    %0
    850nm Detector Perception
    InGaAs
    Required Camera Type

    Why is 1550nm SWIR Different?

    ◼ Standard IR — 850nm / 940nm

    Conventional Infrared

    • Red glow is visible at 850nm — may reveal location
    • No glow at 940nm but detected by most detectors
    • Detectable by opposing NVG (Night Vision Goggles) systems
    • Compatible with standard CCD/CMOS cameras
    • Reflects off plastic, glass, and some surfaces
    • Poses detection risk in military / covert operations
    ◈ 1550nm SWIR — Full Stealth

    Shortwave Infrared

    • Absolutely undetectable by the human eye
    • Also undetectable by 850nm / 940nm detectors
    • Invisible to NVG (Night Vision Goggles)
    • Requires InGaAs SWIR camera
    • Penetrates plastic — makes internal contents visible
    • The sole option for military and covert surveillance
    EYE
    PERCEPTION
    UNDETECTABLE PARTIAL VISIBLE
    850nm
    Red Glow
    940nm
    Very Faint
    1550nm
    ZERO · COMPLETELY HIDDEN
    NO DETECTION

    Application Areas

    Military & Covert Security Surveillance

    1550nm light is undetectable by the human eye and 850nm/940nm detectors. It is also undetectable by opposing NVG (Night Vision Goggles) systems. This enables completely covert surveillance and counter-surveillance capabilities. It is the sole preferred technology for critical infrastructure, border security, and special operations.

    COVERT · NON-DETECTABLE

    Hot Object Observation

    Objects above 150°C can be imaged in the 1550nm band. Used in industrial furnaces, casting lines, power plants, and fire detection applications requiring high-temperature imaging.

    HOT OBJECT IMAGING · 150°C+

    Plastic Inspection & Analysis

    Plastic becomes transparent in the 1550nm SWIR band. This allows liquids, foreign objects, and materials inside plastic packaging or coatings to be visualized. It is a critical technology for food, pharmaceutical, and production quality control lines.

    PLASTIC TRANSPARENT · QC

    Fog, Smoke & Haze Penetration

    The SWIR band offers higher transmittance through atmospheric fog, smoke, and haze. Significantly improves night vision quality in ports, coastlines, forests, and industrial environments compared to visible light and standard IR.

    FOG PENETRATION · COASTAL

    Technology Comparison

    Feature 850nm NIR 940nm NIR 1550nm SWIR
    Visibility to Human Eye Red glow — Visible Very faint glow ZERO · STEALTH
    850nm Detector Perception ✓ Detects ✓ Detects UNDETECTABLE
    NVG (Night Vision Goggles) Perception ✓ Detects ✓ Detects UNDETECTABLE
    Required Camera Type CCD / CMOS CCD / CMOS InGaAs SWIR
    Plastic Transmittance ✗ Opaque ✗ Opaque TRANSPARENT
    Hot Object Imaging (>150°C) ✗ ✗ ✓ POSSIBLE
    Fog / Smoke Penetration Medium Medium High
    Surveillance Stealth Low Medium FULL STEALTH
    System Cost Low Low High (InGaAs Camera)
    UNI-200 Version Available? ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ✓ YES
    Note: 1550nm SWIR illuminators are manufactured with the UNI-200 body. Requires a separate InGaAs SWIR camera system. Please contact our technical team for system configuration.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1What is SWIR and why is 1550nm important?
    SWIR (Short-Wave Infrared) is the electromagnetic spectrum region between 1000nm–2500nm. The 1550nm wavelength is preferred in military and security applications because it is undetectable by both the human eye and common 850nm/940nm IR detectors. This provides completely covert surveillance capabilities.
    2Which camera is used? Do normal cameras work?
    No. Standard CCD and CMOS sensor cameras cannot detect the 1550nm wavelength. An InGaAs (Indium Gallium Arsenide) sensor SWIR camera must be used. These cameras are more expensive than standard IR cameras but offer unique capabilities such as plastic transparency, hot object imaging, and full stealth.
    3Why can't NVG (Night Vision Goggles) detect 1550nm?
    Common NVG systems (Gen I, II, III) are designed to detect light in the 400–900nm range. 1550nm is far outside this band. Thus, a surveillance system using a 1550nm SWIR illuminator is absolutely undetectable by opposing NVG-equipped personnel. This is a critical tactical advantage in military operations.
    4Why is plastic transparent in SWIR?
    Polymer-based plastics, while appearing opaque in the visible light spectrum, exhibit high transmittance in the 1550nm SWIR band. This allows liquids, foreign objects, and materials inside plastic packaging or bottles to become visible. It offers extremely valuable features for food quality control, pharmaceutical industry, and production lines.
    5Is the UNI-200 1550nm version available?
    Yes. The UNI-200 illuminator can be produced in the 1550nm SWIR band as well as 850nm and 940nm. IP68, IK10, -50°C/+50°C operating range, and 5-year warranty features are preserved. We recommend contacting our technical team for system design and camera recommendations.
    6What is the range of the 1550nm system?
    Range varies depending on the power of the illuminator used, the selected angle, and the sensitivity of the InGaAs camera. Generally, effective night vision up to hundreds of meters can be achieved with the UNI-200 body in narrow-angle configurations. Please contact our team for site-specific calculations.

    Common Search Terms

    English 1550nm SWIR Illuminator Shortwave Infrared Illuminator Covert IR Illuminator Non-detectable IR NVG invisible illuminator SWIR laser illuminator InGaAs SWIR lighting 1550nm IR Projector Plastic inspection IR Undetectable Infrared