By Cho Jin-seo
Staff Reporter


A Korean research center developed a super-sensitive image sensor with applications likely to dramatically enhance medical or military equipment such as endoscopes or guided missiles, as well as household electronics.

The new sensor can record high-quality video images under moonlight, as it is about 500 times more light-sensitive than current versions, the Korea Electronics Technology Institute (KETI) said. The researchers expect the sensor will be used for military equipment such as long-range missiles, night vision goggles, unmanned aircraft and surveillance cameras.

The sensor doesn’t need additional parts to amplify light signals so it can be mass-produced at a cost of one percent of current systems, the institute insisted. It is also about half the size of traditional sensors.

The super-sensitive image sensor can be used in endoscopes, a device which looks inside the human body in order to detect internal ailments such as tumors. Industrial robots, digital cameras, camcorders, fire detectors will also benefit from the new sensor, they said.

According to various reports, the worldwide market for image sensors amounted to $7 billion this year, and is expected to expand to $9.4 billion in 2008. Japanese firms have been almost monopolizing the market, and the KETI is aiming to take around 10 percent of it in three years.

The four-year, 11-billion won project was funded by the government, and the KETI said it will award 2 billion won to the 12 member research team. The new sensor can detect light signals of less than 1 Lux, the equivalent to that of moonlight or candlelight from a meter away.

indizio@koreatimes.co.kr