This section provides an overview for avalanche photodiodes as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 28 avalanche photodiode manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked avalanche photodiode companies as of November, 2024: 1.Albis Optoelectronics AG, 2.Advanced Photonix, 3.OSI Optoelectronics.
Table of Contents
An avalanche photodiode (APD) is a specialized photodiode that converts light into electrical energy. Distinguished by its ability to operate at ultra-fast speeds with high responsiveness, the APD excels in detecting faint optical signals thanks to its unique avalanche amplification mechanism. This amplification is achieved by applying a significant reverse voltage, enabling the device to amplify weak signals into detectable electrical currents.
Avalanche photodiodes are crucial in applications requiring the detection of low-intensity light with high sensitivity. While standard photodiodes (PDs) are adequate for general light measurement and signal detection tasks, APDs are employed in more demanding scenarios where conventional PDs fall short. This includes roles in high-precision optical communication systems, remote sensing, and advanced scientific instrumentation, where the detection of minuscule light signals is essential.
The core functionality of an APD centers around its ability to amplify the electrical signal generated by light absorption. This process begins with the absorption of photons, which produce primary electrons within the semiconductor material. These electrons are then accelerated by a high reverse voltage, causing them to collide with other atoms and generate secondary electrons in a chain reaction known as electron avalanche. This avalanche amplification results in a significant increase in the electrical current, allowing the detection of very weak light signals.
The typical structure of an APD includes a pn junction formed by combining p-type and n-type semiconductors, alongside an additional p-layer with varying carrier concentrations. This design features a high-concentration p-layer and a low-concentration p-layer atop the conventional pn junction. The low-concentration layer is responsible for absorbing light and generating electron-hole pairs, while the high voltage across the pn junction propels the electron avalanche, leading to significant signal amplification.
The avalanche photodiode is characterized by the following properties
Despite these advantages, APDs require careful management due to their high reverse voltage requirements and temperature-dependent performance. These challenges necessitate precise control circuits and cooling measures in certain applications.
The main drawbacks of current APD technology include the need for high reverse voltages and the temperature sensitivity of the avalanche multiplication effect. Ongoing research aims to develop APDs that operate effectively at lower voltages and are less affected by ambient conditions. Innovations in packaging, such as chip size package (CSP) designs, and efforts to improve performance in varying light environments are part of this development, promising to broaden the applications and usability of APDs in the future.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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The Central Semiconductor Corporation is an ISO 9001:2015-certified electronics manufacturer in Hauppauge, NY. Since it was founded in 1974, the corporation has expanded to serve the global market. Its main product line is discrete semiconductors. All products are RoHS2 and REACH compliant. The corporation also manufactures diodes, rectifiers, transistors, and protection devices. Central Semiconductor provides semiconductor solutions for several industries including alternative energy, consumer products, scientific/industrial, networking, lighting, and the medical industry.
Sensitron Semiconductor, founded in 1969 with corporate headquarters located in the USA, is a manufacturer of power electronic components and systems for the defense, aerospace, space, and medical markets. The company's products include high-power rectifier bridges, motion control modules, TVS modules, solid-state power controllers, and high voltage diode assemblies, as well as various services including, engineering, electrical and mechanical design, material science expertise, and testing of a finished power system. The company's facility includes a wafer fabrication clean room and a microelectronics manufacturing clean room.
MCC is a manufacturer of semiconductors, founded in 1991, and has its headquarters located in California, USA. Their portfolio contains five core semiconductor types—offering a full range of diodes, rectifiers, transistors, MOSFETs, voltage regulators, and protection devices. Their products are used to optimize power management, enable signal processing, protect circuits, and enhance the performance of electronic systems across various sectors such as consumer electronics, aerospace, medical devices, and more. The company has received IATF 16949:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 certifications.
Alpha & Omega Semiconductor, founded in Sunnyvale, CA in 2000, is a supplier of a broad range of power semiconductors, including Power MOSFET, IGBT, IPM and Power IC products. The company's product portfolio includes Gate Drivers, Transient Voltage Suppression (TVS), and Silicon Carbide (SiC), which find applications in portable computers, tablets, smartphones, flat panel TVs, and battery packs. The company serves industries such as Oil and Gas, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Construction, and Power Generation. They also offer custom packaging, warehousing, and distribution services.
Microchip Technology Incorporated was incorporated in 1989 and is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona. The company is a developer and manufacturer of control solutions for global markets including the automotive, industrial, communications, human-machine interface, and connectivity industries. The company’s products include microcontrollers, field-programmable gate array products, MOSFET and radio frequency products, and both wired and wireless communications products. The company’s services include wafer foundry and assembly services, test subcontracting manufacturing services, development tools for enabling system designers to program microcontrollers and processors, and timing system products.
Diodes Incorporated is a supplier for the consumer electronics, computing, communications, industrial, and automotive markets. Diodes Incorporated designs, manufactures, and supplies application-specific standard products in the discrete, logic, analog, and mixed-signal semiconductor markets worldwide. It focuses on low pin count semiconductor devices. Diodes specializes in semiconductor products, such as MOSFET, TVS, and performance Schottky rectifiers, transient voltage suppressors and other devices. It also provides analog products, such as power management devices comprising AC-DC and DC-DC converters, signaling devices, CMOS devices, and analog switches. Diodes Incorporated was incorporated in 1959 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas.
OSI Optoelectronics, headquartered in Hawthorne, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of advanced optoelectronics and electronic assemblies. The company’s product portfolio includes photo detectors, laser diodes, medical sensors, and more. It also offers turnkey manufacturing solutions for high tech applications, supporting customers from product development to production. The company’s products and solutions cater to different industries, including aerospace, defense, medical, and life sciences. The company serves clients in the international markets through facilities in multiple locations, including North America, Asia, and Europe while operating under ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, among other certifications.
Advanced Photonix is a manufacturer of optoelectronic components and subsystems. They have manufacturing plants in India and Malaysia. Their product portfolio includes standard and custom photodiodes for various industries such as military, telecommunications, defense, medical, industrial, and aerospace. API specializes in commercial and military standard components, X-ray products and inspection apparatus, telecom and data-com applications, opto-assembly, and PCB assembly. The company’s products find applications in temperature sensing, spectroscopy, pulse oximetry, currency validation, and audio processing.
Excelitas Technologies Corp., headquartered in Waltham, USA, is a manufacturer of photonic solutions. The company provides photonic solutions for the illumination, optical and imaging needs of the OEM and end-user customers. The products like cameras, sensors and light sources serve an array of applications across many sectors. These range of applications include clinical diagnostics, autonomous vehicles and X-ray security screening. The company also offers bespoke photonic solutions such as discrete components, sub-assemblies, or complete turnkey solutions tailored to the customers' specific requirements.
PANJIT was founded in 1986 in Taiwan as a manufacturer of semiconductors. Their product portfolio includes Power Management IC such as Flyback Controller/Active Bridge Controller for various circuit structures and applications. They also produce Low/Medium/High voltage MOSFETs and Schottky Rectifiers for improved power efficiency, low leakage of current, and stability. The SiC Devices are similar to third-generation semiconductors and there is also manufacturing of Diodes, Transistors, Bridges, and Protection Devices. These products are applicable in the Computing, Automotive, Communication, Consumer, and Power industries.
AiT Semiconductor, established in 1996 at Taiwan, is a manufacturer of semiconductors, specializing in the design and production of analog and mixed-signal ICs. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of IC solutions for various applications, including power management, LED lighting, audio, and wireless network/communication. They manufacture power switches, inductors, regulator LDO, EEPROM memory and resonators along with other electrical solutions. These power components are used in multiple industries such as consumer, medical, industrial, communication and IoT sectors. Their products are equipped with improved performance, low power consumption, and robust sustainability.
Continental Device India Pvt. Ltd. (CDIL), established in 1964, is a semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in New Delhi, India. Certified with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001, the company produces TRIACs, SCRs, and TVSs. It also offers complementary products, including diodes, rectifiers, and transistors. These products adhere to the European Union's Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Directives. The company expanded its services by launching the Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) division, Deltron, in 1982. It also manufactures space-grade semiconductor devices for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Yangzhou Yangjie Electronic Technology Co. Ltd has been a manufacturer of semiconductors headquartered in China since 2000. The company designs and manufactures Rectifier devices, modules, automotive electronics, protection devices, and various switches and diodes for small signals. There are also ICs, Mosfet, SiCs, and Wafer in 4-inch and 6-inch types for various applications. Their products have uses in industries related to automotive electronics, industrial control, power supply, home appliances, and other similar fields.
BrightKing, founded in 2001 with headquarters in Taiwan and manufacturing facilities in China, is a manufacturer of circuit protection components and a provider of circuit protection solutions. The company's product line includes voltage suppressors, electrostatic dischargers, gas discharge tubes, and other related products used in a wide range of consumer devices, from personal computing to home appliances, home surge protection, and infrastructure projects including mobile base stations. BrightKing also provides consulting and technical support with global distribution, custom manufacturing, sample delivery, prototype testing, and direct shipping.
INPAQ, founded in Taiwan, is a supplier of circuit protection components and antenna products. The company's product portfolio includes f Circuit Protection、EMI/EMC Solutions, Power Solutions and RF Antennas that are used for computing, communication, consumer electronics, and automotive electronics.The company serves markets including Medical and Healthcare, Aerospace and Defense, Consumer Goods, Industrial Manufacturing and Construction and Building. The company has 14 laboratories and test facilities in Taiwan and China including Sales and FAE support in Taiwan, China, Korea & North America.
Diotec Semiconductor AG is a German-based semiconductor manufacturer and supplier of diodes and rectifiers which was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Heitersheim, Germany. They specialize in producing discrete semiconductors, both standard and customized, readily available for worldwide delivery. Their product portfolio includes diodes, rectifiers, protection devices (TVS/ESD), transistors, and regulators. These products are used in various applications such as in industrial, energy, mobility, lighting, and consumer electronics, contributing to power management, signal conditioning, and circuit protection in different electronic systems and devices.
Thinking Electronic Industrial Co., Ltd., established in 1979 with headquarters in Taiwan, is a manufacturer of circuit protection components for over-voltage protection, over-temperature protection, and over-current protection. The company's product line includes NTC thermistors, ceramic PTC thermistors, polymer PTC resettable fuses, temperature sensors, and gas discharge tubes. Thinking Electronic Industrial Co., Ltd.'s products are used in EV batteries, surge protection devices for 5G mobile infrastructure, kitchen appliances, and photovoltaic systems, among many others. The company also provides custom product design and development services.
Würth Elektronik Group, established in 1969 in Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier of quality electronic and electromechanical components. Their extensive product catalog includes passive components, connectors, inductors, sensors, and more, catering to various industries like automotive, telecommunications, and industrial automation. Würth Elektronik's components are integral to building ideal electronic circuits, enabling seamless data transfer and power management. Courtesy of its creativity and sustainability, it aims to provide cutting-edge solutions and good customer service, meeting the diverse needs of its global clientele.
Albis Optoelectronics, headquartered in Rueschlikon, Switzerland, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in high-speed PIN and APD photodiodes for fiber optic datacom and telecom applications. The company’s product portfolio includes Ultrafast InGaAs p-i-n photodiodes, Avalanche photodiodes, GaAs p-i-n photodiodes, and more. It also offers speciality photodiodes for diverse applications as well as high speed detector modules up to 60 GHz. The company is ISO 9001:2008 certified and meets Telcordia GR-468 and MIL-STD-883E standards. With representatives in Japan, Korea, Russia and China, the company serves clients in the international markets.
Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., established in 1953 and headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a manufacturer of sensors and emitters for both visible and invisible light. It stocks products like LEDs, lamps, and photodiodes used in several industries, including consumer electronics, dental imaging, and environmental monitoring. The sensor and light source components are also available as modules and units that can be incorporated into systems the company develops, like optical measurement systems or imaging systems. The ISO 9001-certified company stocks over 15,000 devices, units, and systems that ship to over 100 destinations worldwide, and it has ten research and production bases.
Xiamen SET Electronics Co. Ltd., established in 2000 and headquartered in Xiamen, China, is a manufacturer of circuit protection components. The company provides technology that includes over-temperature protection, over-voltage protection, and over-current protection. Its products include cartridge fuse-links, surge protection fuses for low-power systems, and gas discharge tubes. These components are used in various applications, including for home appliances, personal computing, and lighting products. It serves industries that include telecommunications, new energy, and automotive.
HY Electronic (Cayman) Limited, founded in 1959 with headquarters in Taiwan, is a manufacturer of semiconductor rectification components for power separation. The company's products include diodes, bridge rectifiers, LED driver boards, ICs, and power modules used in the computing, communication, automotive, and consumer industries. HY Electronic’s products are found in EV chargers, automotive powertrains, home appliances, personal computing devices, networking devices, and many more. The company is also a developer of green-friendly products for the LED lighting, solar, and automotive power-saving markets.
Lision Technology Inc. is a Taiwanese manufacturer of discrete, motor and analog integrated circuit (IC) products established in 2001 and based in Zhongli City, Taoyuan. The company manufactures various discrete products including diodes and metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), analog products such as regulators and timers, and motor products including application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). They also offer design support and capacity planning services for customers requiring technical assistance. Lision Technology Inc. primarily serves client companies and OEMs in the consumer electronics, computing, and communication sectors.
Comchip, founded in New Taipei City, Taiwan, in 2000 is a manufacturer of bridge rectifiers, fast efficient rectifiers, and switching diodes. The company's product portfolio includes Zener diodes, Schottky diodes, TVS and ESD surge protectors. Their products find application in applications in lighting, automotive, industrial computers, and TFT-LCD panels and they serve markets such as Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy and Energy Storage and Electronics and IT Infrastructure. The company has a national distribution network and a customer support center.
Rectron Limited, established in 1976 is a publicly-traded company specializing in the manufacture and supply of discrete semi-conductors. Its product line includes bridge and recovery rectifiers, high voltage products, ESD, Schottky, and signal switching diodes, transistors, MOSFET, silicon carbide schottky and more. Rectron serves many industries including automotive, consumer electronics, industrial automation, telecommunications and medical devices. The Taipei-based semi conductor manufacturer operates globally and has subsidiaries in Los Angeles, London, and Hong Kong.
Taiwan Semiconductor, established in 1979 in Taiwan, is a manufacturer and distributor of integrated circuits and wafer semiconductor devices for commercial and industrial customers worldwide. The company's product line includes discrete power rectifiers, power transistors, LED driver ICs, analog ICs, and ESD protection devices. Taiwan Semiconductor has production facilities in China and Taiwan that are compliant with automotive and environmental standards, including IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001. Taiwan Semiconductor is also a member of the ECIA and the PSMA.
Ushio America, Inc., established in 1967 and headquartered in Cypress, California, is a manufacturer and distributor of photonics solutions. Its diverse product range includes xenon short arc, lasers, ultra-high-pressure UV, excimer, and metal halide lamps, serving various industries such as biotechnology, electronics, medical, and semiconductor. The company has obtained multiple certifications, including ENERGY STAR, DesignLights Consortium, and Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Its products are designed and manufactured in an ISO 13485-certified medical facility.
Kingtronics International Company was established in 1990 in Hong Kong and has several factories across China manufacturing electronic components such as bridge rectifiers. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified and works with several distributors around the world including KORE, Prod. El, DTDS, and others. The company produces two kinds of electronics components: passive components such as aluminum electrolytic capacitors including radial type and axial type, and active components such as diodes, transistors, and bridge rectifiers.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Albis Optoelectronics AG |
21.2%
|
2 | Advanced Photonix |
21.2%
|
3 | OSI Optoelectronics |
18.2%
|
4 | Ushio America, Inc. |
16.2%
|
5 | Excelitas Technologies Corp. |
10.1%
|
6 | Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. |
9.1%
|
7 | Central Semiconductor |
1.0%
|
8 | Yangzhou Yangjie Electronic Technology Co., Ltd |
1.0%
|
9 | PANJIT |
1.0%
|
10 | Sensitron Semiconductor |
1.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the avalanche photodiode 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 | 9 | 45.0% |
Taiwan | 4 | 20.0% |
China | 2 | 10.0% |
Germany | 2 | 10.0% |
India | 1 | 5.0% |
Switzerland | 1 | 5.0% |
Japan | 1 | 5.0% |