This section provides an overview for photodetectors as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 7 photodetector manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked photodetector companies as of November, 2024: 1.Bitline System Pty Ltd, 2.MKS Instruments, 3.Menlo Systems.
Table of Contents
A Photodetector is a device that detects light and converts it into electrical signals, functioning as a light sensor or photosensitive element. It is used in various devices like TV remotes and automatic door systems, often utilizing infrared light.
Photoresistors are used in light meters, indoor thermometers, camera exposure meters, and for controlling street and car lights. They are sensitive to changes in electrical resistance based on light exposure.
Photodiodes are used in light intensity meters, CD players, smoke detectors, TV remote receivers, automatic faucets, solar cells, and image sensors.
Phototransistors, known for high sensitivity, are used in infrared remotes, cameras, optical communication, and automatic doors.
These convert light into heat, measuring changes in electromotive force, conductivity, and pyroelectric effects. Examples include thermopiles, bolometers, and pyroelectric elements.
Quantum-type elements measure changes in current, conductivity, and electromotive force due to carrier excitation. Examples include phototubes, photomultiplier tubes, photocells, photodiodes, phototransistors, and CCDs.
Allows non-contact detection by illuminating the target and receiving reflected or transmitted light.
Can detect various materials including metals, non-metals, liquids, and glass.
Offers high-speed response and precise detection without mechanical motion.
Can distinguish colors based on the difference in light wavelengths.
Measure reflected light from the target with combined emitter and receiver units.
Project light through the target to a receiver, measuring light obstruction. Suitable for long-distance stable detection.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (Vishay) was incorporated in 1962 and is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania. The company serves the industrial, automotive, telecommunications, consumer products, and medical end markets and sells its products under numerous brand names inlcuding Siliconix, Draloric, Beyschlag, UltraSource, and Applied Thin-Film Products. The company manufactures and sells discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components in globally while operating in six market segments: MOSFETs, diodes, optoelectronic components, resistors, inductors, and capacitors.
MKS Instruments, founded in 1961 and based in Massachusetts, USA, is a manufacturer and distributor of instruments and process control solutions for advanced manufacturing processes. Its solutions are critical to addressing the challenges of miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing by enabling increased power, feature enhancement, and optimized connectivity. Its offerings include compact pressure transducers, mass flow meters, and microwave generators, used in advanced manufacturing and metrology applications. The company is certified to ISO 9001:2015, and has received an Innovators Award for its ESI CapStone system.
Coherent, founded in 1971, and located in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, is a manufacturer, supplier and distributor of laser and photonics-based solutions. Their product range includes lasers, optics, and laser-based systems for industries such as industrial, communications, electronics, and instrumentation markets. Coherent's lasers are used in precision cutting, welding, medical procedures, and scientific experiments. With ISO 9001 certification, the company ensures quality standards in their products, and solutions across various industrial applications.
Menlo Systems, founded in 2001 and located in Martinsried, Munich, Germany, is a manufacturer of optical products and equipment for scientific applications established as a spin-off from the Max-Planck-Institute for Quantum Optics. The company offers ultrastable lasers designed for constant fixed output with minimal variation, and femtosecond lasers for terahertz generation, metrology, or 2-photon excitation. It also offers terahertz systems for fingerprint spectroscopy or quality control imaging, and optical frequency combs for high accuracy applications. The company chiefly serves client companies and institutions in academia and the industrial sector.
Located in Austria and Germany, Ams-Osram is a sensor design and manufacturing company that specializes in compact form factors, low power, high sensitivity, and multi-sensor applications. They were established in 1981 and were formerly known as austriamicrosystems AG. In 2012 it changed its name to ams AG. They have a technology portfolio for sensing, lighting, and visualization, ranging from light emitters and optical components to micro-modules, integrated circuits, and related software. Their work develops technology for use in the consumer, industrial, medical, and automotive sectors.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Bitline System Pty Ltd |
16.7%
|
2 | MKS Instruments |
16.7%
|
3 | Menlo Systems |
13.3%
|
4 | Coherent Corp. |
13.3%
|
5 | Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., |
13.3%
|
6 | ABB |
13.3%
|
7 | ams-OSRAM AG |
13.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the photodetector page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 3 | 50.0% |
Germany | 1 | 16.7% |
Austria | 1 | 16.7% |
Switzerland | 1 | 16.7% |