IR Filter Application Note

Excellence in Digital Imaging Optics

Summary
In digital imaging systems, Infrared (IR) filters are used to reduce a color shift that is created by the infrared sensitivity of digital sensors. The effect of
an IR cutoff filter on standard CMOS or CCD sensors is most noticeable in the presence of a Near-IR source such as the sun. Images taken in the daylight appear
bleached without an IR filter, as seen in Figure 1.A.). This effect is not as drastic in indoor settings because most fluorescent lights do not emit light with
wavelength greater than 800 nm. For optimal use of lenses in both day and night situations, we recommend using an IR cutoff filter with an IR bandpass such as
the Sunex IRC40 and Sunex IRC41 filters. These filters allow sensors to have good color contrast in the day while still allowing IR floodlights to be used during
the nighttime.
No IR Cutoff Filter 650nm IR Cutoff Filter w/ 850nm IR Bandpass 650nm IR Cutoff Filter
Lens Model: DSL322A –NIR –F2.0 DSL322A –IRC41 – F2.0 DSL322A –650 – F2.0

Solar Emission Spectrum

A.) B.) C.) D.) 1 100
NREL Solar Spectrum

Normalized Spectral
0.8 80

Transmittance (%)
Daylight IRC30 Cut filter

Irradiance
0.6 60

0.4 40

0.2 20

0 0
200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Wavelength (nm)

E.) F.) G.) H.) 1

Fluorescent Light Emission Spectrum
100

Normalized Radiant Power

GE Cool White
Fluorescent Bulb

Transmittance (%)
Fluorescent Light 0.8 80
IRC30 Cut Filter
0.6 60

0.4 40

0.2 20

0 0
200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Wavelength (nm)

I.) IRC41 Transmittance J.) IRC30 Transmittance

100 100
Filter Transmittance 90 90
Transmittance (%)

Transmittance (%)

80 80
Curves No Filter 70 70
60 60
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
350 450 550 650 750 850 950 350 450 550 650 750 850 950
Wavelength (nm) Wavelength (nm)

Figure 1. Matrix Comparison of IR Filters. Images taken with a OVT 5630 5MP sensor.
Sunex, Inc.
Telephone: +1 760 597 2966
www.sunex.com