What IRnova does

IRnova AB is a Swedish developer and manufacturer of cooled infrared detectors headquartered in Kista, Stockholm. The company designs and produces Focal Plane Arrays (FPAs), Integrated Detector Dewar Cooler Assemblies (IDDCAs), and full detector assemblies based on two proprietary semiconductor technologies: Type-II Superlattice (T2SL) and Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (QWIP). IRnova operates Europe's only in-house T2SL production facility from an ISO 9001-certified 1,300 m2 cleanroom, with 20+ years of T2SL R&D and over 40 years of cumulative infrared detector heritage tracing back to a governmental research institute in 1986. The company was spun off as an independent private company in 2007 and released the first commercial T2SL detector in 2014.

IRnova's product portfolio spans eSWIR (0.9-2.5 micrometer), MWIR (3-5 micrometer), LWIR (7-12 micrometer), and VLWIR spectral bands with resolutions up to 1280x1024 (SXGA), organized into the T2SL family (Njord, Oden, Balder, Hnoss, Freja, Ragnar) and the QWIP family (Tyr, Tor, Idun, Embla). Key technology differentiators include HOT (High Operating Temperature) operation up to 140-150K enabling compact low-SWaP cryocooler integration, pixel-level polarimetric imaging (Fenrir LW Pol), dual-color MWIR capability (Ragnar), and Long LifeTime (LLT) variants with cooler lifetimes exceeding 50,000 hours.

IRnova serves three primary verticals: defense and security (border surveillance, thermal weapon sights, missile guidance, gimbals), space and aerospace (earth observation satellites, with multiple ESA contracts for T2SL technology), and industrial gas detection (optical gas imaging for VOC, methane, CO2, and CO leak detection under EU and US environmental regulations). Revenue is generated through direct B2B hardware sales to defense contractors, camera manufacturers, and system integrators, supplemented by custom detector manufacturing services and evaluation kits to support OEM design-in. Products are quoted in EUR with payment terms within 10 days of written order confirmation, and 100% European manufacturing shields customers from US-style export restrictions.

Name

IRnova

Legal name

IRnova AB

Website

https://irnova.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IRnova AB is a Swedish manufacturer of cooled infrared detectors based on proprietary Type-II Superlattice (T2SL) and QWIP technologies, operating Europe's only in-house T2SL production facility from a 1,300 m2 cleanroom in Kista. The company serves global defense, space, and industrial gas detection OEMs with FPAs, IDDCAs, and custom detector assemblies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Infrared Detectors

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors & Targeting Systems (IMABAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Optical & Light Sensors (Photodiodes/ALS/Color/UV) (HDAHALAE), Photodiodes & Discrete Photodetectors (HDAHAHAL)

Keywords

• Infrared detectors
• T2SL superlattice technology
• QWIP photodetectors
• Focal plane arrays
• Thermal imaging sensors

Headquarters

HQ city

Kista

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Infrared Detector Sales: Sale of cooled infrared detectors including T2SL and QWIP technologies. Products sold as FPAs (Focal Plane Arrays), IDDCAs (Integrated Detector Dewar Cooler Assemblies), and full camera systems. Pricing quoted in EUR with payment terms within 10 days of written confirmation.
2. Custom Detector Manufacturing: Custom detector design and manufacturing services. Can manufacture, hybridize and integrate virtually any kind of detector for specialized applications including custom filters, cooler types, dewars, ROICs, and material tuning.
3. Evaluation Kits: Modular evaluation kits available for all detectors including power supply, frame-grabbing electronics, image acquisition software and optics. Enables quick design-in and customer acquisition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IRnova designs, manufactures, and sells cooled infrared detectors based on proprietary Type-II Superlattice (T2SL) and Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (QWIP) semiconductor technologies. Products are delivered as Focal Plane Arrays (FPAs), Integrated Detector Dewar Cooler Assemblies (IDDCAs), and complete detector packages across MWIR, eSWIR, LWIR, and VLWIR spectral bands for defense surveillance, space earth observation, optical gas imaging, and industrial monitoring applications.

Product overview

IRnova is a provider of cooled infrared detectors based on T2SL (Type-II Superlattice) and QWIP (Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector) technologies. The product portfolio includes HD-format SXGA (1280x1024) detectors like Njord MW and Tyr for demanding applications, VGA (640x512) detectors like Oden MW and Balder for SWaP-critical systems, and compact-format (320x256) detectors like Freja and Ragnar for specialized applications. Products are offered in multiple form factors: rotary SWaP (compact), SL (Split Linear, low-vibration), and LLT (Long LifeTime, high-reliability). Key technology families include: T2SL detectors for MWIR and eSWIR with HOT (High Operating Temperature) operation enabling reduced size, weight, and power; QWIP detectors for LWIR with proven field reliability; polarimetric technology for enhanced detection through polarization sensitivity; and dual-color technology for multi-spectral imaging. The portfolio spans MWIR (3-5μm), LWIR (7-12μm), eSWIR (0.9-2.5μm), and VLWIR ranges for applications including defense surveillance, gas detection (VOC, CO, CO2), space observation, and industrial monitoring.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• T2SL Njord MW T2SL-based MWIR detector with 1280×1024 HD resolution and 10 µm pixel pitch, providing full 3-5 µm spectrum response, low NETD, and high quantum efficiency for demanding MWIR imaging applications.
• T2SL Njord SL Split linear cooler variant of the Njord MW SXGA detector, delivering the same HD MWIR T2SL performance with a shorter optical axis length for UAV gimbal mounting and low-noise applications.
• T2SL Njord LLT Long LifeTime version of the Njord detector offering benchmark-setting T2SL HD picture quality in a full-size package designed for industrial or military applications with more than 50,000 hours expected lifetime.
• T2SL Oden MW HOT (High Operating Temperature) T2SL MWIR detector with 640×512 VGA resolution and 15 µm pixel pitch, delivering revolutionary SWaP performance in a compact 250 g package with 2 W power consumption.
• T2SL Oden SL Split linear cooler variant of the Oden MW with the same HOT MWIR T2SL performance, offering a shorter optical axis, quieter operation, and minimal vibrations suited for UAV gimbals and space-constrained systems.
• T2SL Oden LLT Long LifeTime version of the Oden detector for demanding applications, pairing a 0.5 W cooler with the HOT T2SL MWIR detector to achieve more than 50,000 hours lifetime without compromising performance.
• T2SL Balder eSWIR T2SL detector with 640×512 resolution covering the 0.9-2.5 µm spectral range, supporting up to 300 Hz frame rate with windowing, snapshot, ITR, and IWR readout modes and operating temperatures up to 200 K.
• QWIP Tyr World's first LWIR QWIP detector in SXGA format with 1280×1024 pixels and 10 µm pitch, combining battlefield-proven QWIP technology with a modern high-resolution ROIC for defense and surveillance applications in colder climates.
• QWIP Tor LW QWIP LWIR detector with 640×512 resolution and 15 µm pitch offering outstanding image quality with high uniformity, stability, and operability for border security, defense tracking, and firefighting applications.
• T2SL Hnoss 330 T2SL detector optimized for VOC gas imaging at the 3.2-3.4 µm spectral range, with VGA resolution, 15 µm pitch, and 16 mK NETD for detecting methane, propane, and other VOC gases in handheld and battery-powered cameras.
• T2SL Hnoss 330 SL Split linear cooler variant of the Hnoss 330 with the same VOC gas imaging capability, intended for drone gimbal mounting with K588 or SX020 cooler, 340 g weight, and 30,000 h cooler lifetime.
• T2SL Hnoss 330 LLT Long LifeTime version of the Hnoss 330 for fixed installations and 24/7 monitoring, retaining the same VOC gas detection capability with extended cooler lifetime.
• T2SL Fulla 330 T2SL detector with 640×512 resolution for optical gas imaging at the 3.3 µm range, designed for fixed camera setups that continuously survey large areas for leaks with extended cooler lifetime for 24/7 monitoring.
• T2SL Freja 330 T2SL detector for gas detection at the 3.3 µm spectral range with 320×256 resolution and 30 µm pixel pitch, optimized for handheld and battery-operated optical gas imaging cameras.
• T2SL Freja 390 T2SL detector for CO2 detection at the 3.9 µm spectral range with 320×256 resolution and 30 µm pixel pitch.
• T2SL Freja 430 T2SL detector for CO detection at the 4.3 µm spectral range with 320×256 resolution and 30 µm pixel pitch.
• T2SL Freja 460 T2SL detector for CO detection at the 4.6 µm spectral range with 320×256 resolution and 30 µm pixel pitch, delivering highly uniform optical gas imaging for carbon monoxide detection.
• T2SL Freja X Customizable T2SL detector with spectral range tailored to specific requirements, providing the most flexible detector option for specialized gas detection applications.
• QWIP Fenrir LW Pol QWIP-based LWIR polarimetric infrared detector with 640×512 resolution and 15 µm pixel pitch, providing unique pixel-level polarimetric sensitivity for color-coding objects with strong polarimetric contrast.
• T2SL Ragnar MW DC Dual-color T2SL MWIR detector with 320×256 resolution and 30 µm pixel pitch offering wavelength response tunability (3.7-5.1/4.4-5.1 µm options) for missile warning, maritime surveillance, and multispectral imaging.
• QWIP Idun 1055 QWIP LWIR detector with 640×512 resolution and 15 µm pixel pitch for gas detection applications.
• QWIP Embla 1055 QWIP LWIR detector with 320×256 resolution and 30 µm pixel pitch for gas detection applications.
• Custom Detector (Your Detector) Customizable cooled detector solutions manufactured to specification, including custom filters, cooler types, dewars, ROICs, and material tuning for specialized gas detection, military, security, surveillance, industrial, and space applications.
• EvalKit (Evaluation Kits) Modular evaluation kits available for all detectors including power supply, frame-grabbing electronics, image acquisition software, and optics to enable quick plug-and-play design-in and customer evaluation.

Quantifiable outcome

• T2SL detectors operate at 140-150K (HOT), enabling 50%+ reduction in power consumption compared to standard detectors
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRnova has received several contract awards from ESA for T2SL technology development. These contracts affirm ESA's commitment to maintaining European ascendancy in the supply chain for cutting-edge infrared detectors and position T2SL as the most desirable technology for ultra-large format detectors for space and earth observation satellites. The contracts have established IRnova as the leading European expert in T2SL material for space applications.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a large US defense prime that manufactures cooled IR detector-based systems for military surveillance, targeting, and warning applications. While L3Harris is more of a system integrator than pure detector vendor, it competes with IRnova in defense end markets.
• Hamamatsu Photonics: Hamamatsu Photonics is a Japanese manufacturer of photonic sensors and detectors including InGaAs, MCT, and other infrared devices for industrial, scientific, and space applications. It overlaps with IRnova in cooled IR detection but operates across a much broader photonics portfolio.
• Leonardo DRS: Leonardo DRS develops advanced cooled and uncooled IR detectors and integrated electro-optic systems for US and allied defense forces. It operates broadly across multiple defense and sensing segments with overlapping customer base to IRnova.
• Teledyne FLIR: Teledyne FLIR is a global leader in thermal imaging cameras and uncooled/cooled IR detector cores for industrial, defense, and commercial markets. While Teledyne FLIR uses its own and third-party detectors, it is a major player competing in the same end markets as IRnova's customers.
• Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo Airborne & Space Systems): Leonardo is a major European defense and aerospace prime with significant cooled IR detector activities (e.g., for surveillance, missile guidance, and airborne systems). As a major European player in the same defense ecosystem, it both competes with and could be a customer of IRnova's detector cores.
• Excelitas Technologies: Excelitas Technologies manufactures a wide range of photonic, detection, and optical technologies including cooled IR detectors (PACE/InGaAs, QWIP). It competes with IRnova in industrial, scientific, and defense infrared markets as a broader portfolio player.

Direct peers

• Lynred: Lynred (formerly Sofradir/Ulis) is a French manufacturer of cooled and uncooled infrared detectors, the most direct European competitor to IRnova. Both companies supply cooled IR detector cores for defense, space, and industrial applications, including T2SL, MCT, InSb, and QWIP technologies.
• Teledyne Imaging Sensors: Teledyne Imaging Sensors manufactures advanced infrared and visible imaging sensors including HgCdTe (MCT) and T2SL FPAs for defense, scientific, and space applications. A direct peer in the cooled IR detector market with deeper integration into US defense primes.
• SemiConductor Devices (SCD): SCD is an Israeli manufacturer of cooled and uncooled infrared detectors based on InSb, MCT, and T2SL technologies, serving defense, homeland security, and commercial markets. SCD competes directly with IRnova in cooled MWIR/LWIR detector sales to defense primes and integrators.

Emerging players

• New Infrared Technologies (NIT): NIT is a Spanish developer of uncooled and cooled infrared detectors including T2SL-based FPAs and laser drivers. As a smaller European IR detector specialist, NIT has partial overlap with IRnova's defense and security focus but with different technology emphasis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IRnova_AB
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6dTtwO8Oge7DB2R5dwxNAQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/irnova

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IRnova