When reading the specifications of a modern thermal device, you will often come across the term 'VOx Sensor'. This component is the gold standard in today’s thermography, outperforming earlier technologies.
Definition: VOx Sensor vs. a-Si
There are mainly two types of materials used to make uncooled microbolometers (thermal sensors):
- a-Si (Amorphous Silicon): This is the older technology. It is cheaper to produce, but it usually has lower sensitivity and a grainier pixel structure.
- VOx (Vanadium Oxide): This is the premium technology. Vanadium Oxide is a material that offers electrical resistance that changes dramatically with temperature.
Advantages of VOx in your thermal device
Choosing a device with a VOx sensor instead of a-Si brings direct benefits for hunting and surveillance:
- Higher sensitivity (better NETD): VOx makes it possible to achieve lower (more sensitive) NETD values than amorphous silicon.
- Cleaner image: It generates less 'noise' in the image, resulting in a sharper view and less static 'grain'.
- Longevity: VOx sensors usually have a more stable operating life when exposed accidentally to sunlight (although you should never point it at the sun).
At Night Vision and Thermal, most of our catalog relies on VOx technology to ensure customer satisfaction.
Learn more: Check out our post about NETD to understand how the sensor affects sensitivity.