The HIS20SMD-A operates as a pulsable thermal infrared emitter. A micro-fabricated resistive heating element — constructed from a high-melting-point metal and coated with a proprietary nanostructured high-emissivity surface — is electrically heated to approximately 700 °C when current is applied. At this temperature, the element radiates infrared energy with near black-body spectral characteristics, transmitted through the integrated sapphire window.

Sapphire (Al₂O₃) is selected as the window material for its excellent infrared transmission between 2 and 6 µm, its exceptional mechanical hardness (Mohs 9), chemical inertness, and thermal stability. This combination makes the HIS20SMD-A particularly robust for applications involving exposure to gases, humidity, or mild contaminants, while ensuring that only the target spectral band is transmitted to the detector.

In NDIR (Non-Dispersive Infrared) gas sensing — the most widely used technique in industrial and environmental gas detection — the emitter’s radiation passes through a gas sample cell, and a narrowband photodetector with an optical filter measures the absorbed energy at the target gas absorption wavelength. The 2–6 µm window of the HIS20SMD-A is well matched to the primary absorption bands of the most commercially important gases: CO₂ at 4.26 µm, CO at 4.6 µm, methane at 3.3 µm, N₂O at 4.5 µm, and ethanol at approximately 3.4 µm.

Support for modulated output up to 14 Hz enables lock-in detection techniques that significantly improve signal-to-noise ratio — a critical requirement for high-sensitivity analytical instruments operating in electrically noisy industrial environments.

Integrated Sapphire Window — 2 to 6 µm Transmission

The sapphire (Al₂O₃) optical window transmits the 2–6 µm infrared band — covering the primary absorption fingerprints of CO₂, CO, CH₄, N₂O, ethanol, and hydrocarbons. Sapphire offers superior hardness, chemical resistance, and thermal stability compared to alternative window materials, ensuring optical performance is maintained across the product lifetime and in challenging environmental conditions.

Gold-Plated SMD Package for Reliable Electrical Contact

The gold-plated package surface ensures low and stable contact resistance, prevents oxidation, and enables reliable solder joints in automated PCB assembly. This is particularly important for instruments requiring long-term measurement stability in humid or chemically active environments.

Near Black-Body Thermal Emission with Emissivity > 0.9

The patented nanostructured radiating surface achieves emissivity exceeding 0.9, providing strong and reproducible infrared output that closely approximates an ideal thermal radiator. High emissivity ensures maximum optical power density at the detector, improving sensitivity and reducing the signal processing overhead required to achieve target detection limits.

Compact 3 × 3 mm SMD Form Factor

The miniature surface-mount package integrates into any standard PCB design and is compatible with automated pick-and-place assembly and reflow soldering. This enables Indian electronics OEMs to adopt the HIS20SMD-A directly into production lines for gas detectors, air quality monitors, medical devices, and IoT sensing modules.

Low Power Consumption — 175 mW Maximum

Operating at a maximum of 175 mW, the HIS20SMD-A is highly suitable for battery-operated portable instruments, field-deployable gas monitors, and embedded IoT sensor nodes where power budget is a critical design constraint.

Pulsable Output with Modulation up to 14 Hz

Modulated operation enables synchronous lock-in detection, significantly reducing the effect of thermal background noise and low-frequency drift on measurement accuracy. This is essential for analytical instruments requiring high sensitivity and long-term zero-point stability.

JEDEC-Compliant Reliability Testing

All HISsmd series emitters, including the HIS20SMD-A, comply with JEDEC reliability test standards, providing manufacturers with confidence in the long-term mechanical and thermal durability of the component under real-world operating conditions.

Compatible Accessories: Driver Circuit Board and Breakout Board

The HIS20SMD-A is supported by INFRASOLID’s DCB.S3.175 Driver Circuit Board (LDO-regulated, 1.6–13 V input, 175 mW drive power) and BOB 0.4 Breakout Board, enabling rapid prototyping and evaluation without custom driver circuitry — a significant advantage for R&D teams and system integrators.

Environmental Monitoring

Used in NDIR gas sensors to monitor atmospheric gases such as CO₂ and methane in environmental monitoring systems.

Smart Buildings & HVAC Systems

Integrated into indoor air quality monitoring devices used in intelligent building management systems.

Industrial Safety & Gas Detection

Helps detect hazardous gases in chemical plants, refineries, and manufacturing facilities to enhance workplace safety.

Medical & Healthcare Diagnostics

Used in respiratory gas monitoring systems, breath analysers, and medical diagnostic instruments.

Consumer Electronics & IoT Devices

Enables miniaturized infrared sensing in wearable devices, portable analyzers, and smart sensors.

Scientific Research & Analytical Instruments

Used in infrared spectroscopy systems, portable spectrometers, and laboratory measurement equipment.

United Spectrum Instruments is a specialised photonics and sensing technology company serving India’s research, industrial, and academic sectors. As the official Indian distributor for the HIS20SMD-A, the team offers genuine components backed by manufacturer-certified expertise, local application engineering, and responsive after-sales service.

• Official authorisation: Verified product authenticity with full manufacturer traceability and warranty coverage
• Technical consultation: Expert guidance on optical system design, detector and filter pairing, modulation parameters, and PCB thermal management
• Application engineering: Support for NDIR sensor integration, medical device development, environmental monitoring systems, and industrial gas detection products
• Fast domestic supply: Pan-India logistics with reduced lead times compared to direct international procurement
• Institutional procurement support: GST-compliant invoicing, purchase order handling, and documentation for government bodies, research institutions, and corporate procurement
• Accessories availability: Driver Circuit Board (DCB.S3.175) and Breakout Board (BOB 0.4) available alongside the emitter for rapid evaluation and prototyping
• Trusted across India: Serving OEM manufacturers, R&D laboratories, universities, system integrators, and technology companies nationwide

United Spectrum Instruments serves customers across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and all major industrial and research centres in India