6 Avalanche Photodiode Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for avalanche photodiodes as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 6 avalanche photodiode manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked avalanche photodiode companies as of April, 2024: 1.OSI Optoelectronics, 2.Albis Optoelectronics AG, 3.Ushio America, Inc..
Table of Contents
What Is an Avalanche Photodiode?
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.
Uses of Avalanche Photodiodes
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.
Principle of Avalanche Photodiodes
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.
Structure of Avalanche Photodiodes
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.
Characteristics of Avalanche Photodiodes
The avalanche photodiode is characterized by the following properties
- High photosensitivity
- Fast response time
- High reliability
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.
Other Information on Avalanche Photodiodes
Development of Avalanche Photodiodes
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.
List of 6 Avalanche Photodiode Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Japan
- Switzerland
-
-
-
OSI Optoelectronics
Avalanche Photodiodes (APD)
Manufacturer Overview
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
Avalanche Photodiodes
Manufacturer Overview
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.
Avalanche Photodiodes
Manufacturer Overview
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.
-
-
-
-
-
Albis Optoelectronics AG
avalanche photodiodes (APD)
Manufacturer Overview
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.
Avalanche photodiodes (APDs)
Manufacturer Overview
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.
-
-
-
-
-
Ushio America, Inc.
Germanium Avalanche Photodiode
Company Overview
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.
-
-
Avalanche Photodiode Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OSI Optoelectronics |
21.4%
|
| 2 | Albis Optoelectronics AG |
21.4%
|
| 3 | Ushio America, Inc. |
19.0%
|
| 4 | Advanced Photonix |
19.0%
|
| 5 | Excelitas Technologies Corp. |
9.5%
|
| 6 | Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. |
9.5%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the avalanche photodiode page as of April 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
- Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.: 3,766
Newly Established Company
- Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.: 1953 (71 years ago)
Company with a History
- Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.: 1953 (71 years ago)
Avalanche Photodiode Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Avalanche Photodiode Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
|
3 | 60.0% |
Switzerland
|
1 | 20.0% |
Japan
|
1 | 20.0% |
