News: Optoelectronics
9 April 2025
VIGO and PCO partner on type-II superlattice cooled IR detector arrays
Following joint R&D work, VIGO Photonics S.A. of Ożarów Mazowiecki, Poland (which manufactures mid-infrared detectors, dedicated modules and semiconductor materials) has entered into a strategic framework agreement with PCO S.A. (a Polish manufacturer of optoelectronic solutions for the military). The document defines the terms and conditions of long-term cooperation, targeting the final development of arrays in line with PCO’s demand, followed by their production and sale. The estimated value of the contract is almost PLN200m. The product, created by VIGO Photonics, could be a key piece of equipment for modern military thermal imaging cameras, it is reckoned.
The contract is for the supply of cooled infrared detector arrays, a new product line developed by VIGO using semiconductor technology based on type-II superlattices (T2SL). The infrared detector arrays consist of hundreds of thousands or even millions of active pixels that record thermal radiation with extreme precision. Because of the high sensitivity required, they operate at extremely low temperatures, close to that of liquid nitrogen. The semiconductor layer of the detectors comprises group III-V materials, making it possible to achieve exceptional detection properties.
These matrices will find application in, among others, the latest combat platforms, as well as in anti-aircraft systems in both the Polish army and the European defense industry. They will be used to detect and identify targets in all atmospheric conditions, both day and night, increasing the effectiveness and safety of soldiers’ operations.
As a key company for the Polish military, PCO has for years been committed to developing cooperation with domestic business partners, aiming to maintain the stability of strategic supply chains. The firm not only designs and implements systems for the Polish Armed Forces but also seeks synergies with Polish scientific and technological centers, contributing to the development of domestic industrial and technological potential.
“Responsibility for the security and efficiency of the supply chain is one of PCO’s priorities, especially in the context of key support for the Polish Army. Introducing a new die supplier as an additional source of supply is a strategic step that will allow us not only to increase flexibility but also to ensure that we are ready to respond quickly to dynamically changing needs,” says PCO’s CEO Marek Adamiak. “This is an investment in stability, reliability and shared security. Today's signing is fully in line with the PGZ S.A. Group’s strategy of increasing defense manufacturing capabilities and seeking partnerships in the private sector. Thanks to this cooperation, Poland will join the elite group of countries that have their own semiconductor technologies that can be used in state-of-the-art optoelectronic devices on the modern battlefield,” he adds.
The agreement is “proof that Polish engineering thought and years of consistent investment in research and development translate into real products that build independence and national security,” says VIGO’s CEO Adam Piotrowski. “The signed agreement does not exhaust our production potential. We will consistently develop this breakthrough technology so that it can find application not only in further advanced military systems but also in ambitious space projects. This opens up the prospect of attractive new contracts on the domestic and international markets,” he adds.
The agreement is the result of several years of cooperation and R&D. By the end of 2025, VIGO will deliver to PCO the first series of matrices for military testing, and from 2026 production will start. Due to this cooperation, the Polish defense industry will also be able to benefit from a domestic source of supply for key components, allowing for flexibility while maintaining continuity in supply chains.
The production of these semiconductor and optoelectronic technologies in Poland is also an opportunity for the domestic economy, it is expected. A portion of armament spending remains in the country, driving the development of modern technological solutions and strengthening the potential of domestic companies and R&D centers. This is also an investment in the future of the Polish economy based on knowledge and innovation. It is also expected to benefit young engineers and scientists, who have the opportunity to work on the most advanced projects implemented in Poland.
“The defense sector is all about trust and reliability. Our dies are made in Poland, from the idea to the final product,” Piotrowski adds. “It’s a foundation for security and the future.”
The focal plane arrays development project by VIGO is part of a broader strategy to build national technological competence. The firm holds a license issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration for the production of equipment for the military, which also opens up further opportunities for development in international markets.
VIGO’s IR detectors selected for environmental system monitoring on NASA’s Orion spacecraft
