New material promises breakthrough IR sensing for autonomous cars
To overcome the issues inherent with using video or other forms of visible light detection (such as poor performance in fog, snow, and other conditions) for sensing, vehicle manufacturers are using LiDAR—a pulsed light-based sensor that detects remote objects. LiDAR uses light in the visible to near-infrared range. But visibility could be improved considerably if the so-called mid-wave and long-wave infrared light were also used. There is a window in the electromagnetic spectrum between 3-5 µm and 8-11 µm where atmospheric scattering is greatly reduced and transmission is quite clear. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of sensing and light processing materials in this energy range from which sensors can be made. Now, however, a research team at the University of Southern California (USC)—led by Jayakanth Ravichandran, professor of materials science at USC—has identified a new material, barium titanium sulfide (BaTiS3). Thanks to its slightly different structure, it could improve the situation considerably.