Thermoreflectance is an advanced, non-contact thermal imaging technique that uses light to measure minute temperature variations by analyzing changes in a material’s reflectivity. Because light travels faster than any other method of thermal measurement, thermoreflectance enables ultra-high-resolution, sub-micron spatial precision, and nanosecond-scale thermal analysis, making it an ideal solution for high-performance semiconductor and electronics testing.

When a material heats up, its ability to reflect light changes ever so slightly. Thermoreflectance imaging captures these tiny changes and translates them into a highly detailed thermal map, showing exactly where heat is generated, how it moves, and how fast it dissipates. Unlike traditional infrared imaging, which detects emitted heat, thermoreflectance detects heat-induced reflectivity changes, allowing for a much sharper, more precise thermal picture at the microscopic level.

Microsanj has also transformed infrared thermal imaging by leveraging compact, room-temperature infrared lenses that seamlessly integrate with both industrial microscopes and thermoreflectance imaging systems. Unlike traditional liquid nitrogen-cooled infrared systems, which are bulky and require dedicated setups, Microsanj’s compact approach provides a more efficient, flexible, and portable solution for reliability testing.

 

This innovation has led to the development of Microsanj’s IR+TR system, which merges the benefits of infrared and thermoreflectance imaging. This integration enables advanced thermal analysis for applications such as:

• Load Pull Measurements – Optimizing RF amplifier performance by analyzing real-time thermal effects.
• On-Wafer RF Testing – Characterizing high-frequency devices with ultra-precise thermal mapping.
• Pulsed IV Measurements – Providing thermal insights into transient current-voltage responses.
• Microelectronic and RF/Microwave Industry Applications – Enabling more reliable, high-performance semiconductor devices. 

Both thermoreflectance and infrared thermal imaging are powerful tools, but each has its strengths and best-use cases:

 

Infrared Thermal Imaging is ideal for: 

• Larger-scale temperature mapping where high resolution is not critical.
• Detecting heat dissipation over larger surface areas.
• General fault detection in PCB, industrial, and mechanical applications.

Thermoreflectance Imaging excels when:

• Sub-micron precision is required, such as analyzing tiny hotspots in microelectronics.
• Speed matters, such as capturing nanosecond-scale thermal transients.
• Non-emissive materials (like metals or highly reflective surfaces) need analysis.

By integrating infrared and thermoreflectance imaging, Microsanj provides a hybrid solution that enhances thermal analysis across multiple industries.