Comprehensive Analysis of Conversion Gain in InGaAs Short-Wave Infrared Camera Based on Photon Transfer Theory

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Abstract
The InGaAs short-wave infrared (SWIR) cameras are now widely used, but there is poor horizontal comparability between cameras. The current test and evaluation of cameras is mainly based on photon transfer theory. The specific test methods are the European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) image sensor and camera characterization test standards and the camera test protocol of teledyne photometrics (TPs). Among them, the conversion gain $K$ [e ${}^{-}$ /digital number (DN)] is a key parameter for uniformly quantifying the performance of SWIR cameras. In practical applications, a single test method is prone to deviations and fails to provide a comprehensive analysis of the error sources. In this article, we compare the theoretical foundations and experimental results of the EMVA and TP testing standards. By plotting the complete noise photon transfer curve (PTC), the mean–variance PTC, and the conversion gain curve, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of the noise and gain characteristics of the SWIR camera. Furthermore, we find that under nonideal conditions and high read noise, the results obtained from the two testing methods can validate each other, thereby determining the true conversion gain of the camera. This work contributes significantly to the in-depth understanding of camera testing standards and provides valuable insights for evaluating the performance of SWIR cameras.
Funding Information
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (52427901)
  • Fundamental Research Funds of Shandong University (2082019012)
  • Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2024MF110)
  • Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2022MF323)
  • Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2022LLZ002)
  • Key Technology Research and Development Program of Shandong Province (2023JMRH0105)
  • Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2021JCG018)
  • Opening Foundation of Key Laboratory of Infrared Imaging Materials and Devices of Chinese Academy of Sciences (IIMDFJJ-21-11)
  • Shandong University Equipment Development Cultivation Project (zy202004)
  • Shandong University Graduate Education Teaching Reform Research Project (XYJG2023129)

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