Marktech Optoelectronics Announces Latest Lineup of Advanced Silicon Photodiode Photodetectors

March 22, 2022 – Latham, NY, USA –  Marktech Optoelectronics, Inc. (www.marktechopto.com)(Marktech), a privately-held and veteran-owned leading designer and manufacturer of standard and custom optoelectronics, including UV, visible, near-infrared (NIR), and short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) emitters, detectors, InP epi wafers, and other compound semiconductors, today announced their latest lineup of advanced silicon photodiode photodetectors.

Marktech’s silicon photodiode manufacturing facility Simi Valley, California has one the shortest delivery lead times in the photodetector industry for standard and custom photodiodes.  Marktech can cross many competitor’s silicon photodiodes with a MADE IN THE USA product having specifications matching or exceeding the competitive specifications.  After prototype approvals, custom photodiodes are typically delivered in a highly competitive time frame versus  the typical 6 to 8 months from other leading photodiode manufacturers.  In addition, many standard silicon photodiodes can be delivered from our standard inventory in a few days through our distributor websites, Digikey Electronics and Mouser Electronics.

Silicon Photodiode (SiPDs)

Marktech’s lineup of advanced silicon photodiode detectors consist of several detector families or series based on their spectral sensitivity ranges:

• General Purpose (Series 8) – 350 to 1100nm spectral sensitivity
• UV Enhanced (Series 4) – 300 to 1100nm spectral sensitivity
• IR Enhanced Peak (Series 14) – 350 to 1100nm spectral sensitivity
• UV & IR Enhanced (Series 11) – 250 to 1100nm spectral sensitivity

Silicon PIN photodiodes are available in various package types such as hermetically sealed metal cans (TO-5, TO-18, and TO-39), ceramic SAW packages, pigtail metal cans, and 3mm molded plastic through-hole (flat lens or dome ceramic).  Custom packaging to OEM specifications is available as well.

Marktech’s Si photodiodes provide high sensitivity, low noise, excellent linearity, high quantum efficiency, and durability combined with an extended lifetime at a reasonable cost.  Our UV Enhanced silicon photodiodes are ideal for monitoring the consistency of UV light sources for curing inks, resins, adhesives, sealants, and 3D printing stereolithography materials.  In addition, Marktech’s IR emitters combined with our IR detectors (IR Peak silicon photodiodes) are the perfect solution in many industrial sensing applications such as proximity, linear position, time-of-flight (TOF) distance or range, and angular or rotary position sensors.  Additional applications include optical power meters, color sensors, optical receivers, daylight detectors, oximeters, pulse monitors, particle analyzers, and smoke detectors.

Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs)

Marktech’s avalanche photodiodes (APDs) are perfect for high speed, short pulse,

and low light level detection between 400 to 1100nm.  They have optimal peak responses in the NIR band at 800nm or 905nm.  Marktech APDs have low dark current, high internal gain at low bias voltage, and significantly higher sensitivities, especially in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range, compared to standard photodiodes.  They also have fast rise times as low as 300 ps, frequency response to 1 GHz, and a low breakdown voltage of 120V-200V. All Marktech APD products are also RoHS compliant.

Multiple Si APD customization options include operational voltage selection, wavelength-specific band-pass filtering, hybridization, and custom packaging.  Custom package options include hermetically sealed TO metal cans, cost-effective SMD (LCC) types, proprietary seam welded ATLAS SMD, and other package types developed to OEM specifications.

Marktech silicon APDs can provide performance nearly equivalent to photomultipliers but in a more durable, reliable, and lower-cost semiconductor product.  As a result, Marktech APDs can detect weaker light intensities accurately in applications where higher bandwidth or internal gain may be required.  Competitive photodetectors option fall short due to higher preamplifier noise levels.

Marktech offers the industry’s largest selection of standard off-the-shelf Silicon APDs for immediate customer delivery.  In addition, our California factory routinely manufactures prototypes to OEM production volumes of standard and custom silicon APDs.  Marktech’s standard silicon APDs are available through our global distribution partners, DigiKey Corporation and Mouser Electronics.

Silicon Phototransistors

Marktech offers a broad line of silicon phototransistors in various package types ranging from small metal can to ceramic packages.  Marktech’s silicon phototransistors have a spectral sensitivity in the 400 nm to 1100 nm range or special UV enhanced silicon chips with sensitivity in the lower UV-A range.  They are useful in applications requiring very high sensitivity, uniform response, and increased reliability, such as card readers and optical sensors.  In addition, our Simi Valley Si photodiode plant can manufacture custom active areas and multi-element chips to suit your application.

Silicon Photodiode Arrays (Si PDAs)

Silicon photodiode arrays have multiple photodiode elements fabricated on the same substrate and package.  The photodiode arrays range from bi detectors (two segments), quad detectors (four elements), multiple element linear arrays, and complex multi-element area arrays.

Photodiode arrays are critical components in sensors and instruments for position sensing, laser alignment, spectroscopy, and particle analysis.  For example, Marktech’s four-element photodiode arrays or quad detectors are perfect laser alignment applications.  In addition, our linear photodiode arrays are ideal for position detection, spectrometry, refractometry, and other sensor or instrument applications.

InGaAs Photodiodes (InGaAs PDs)

In addition to our high-performance silicon photodiodes, Marktech manufactures InP PIN photodiodes using InGaAs/InP technology.  These InGaAs PIN photodiodes have a spectral sensitivity in the 600nm to 2600nm range for applications requiring low dark current, high speed, and sensitivity, such as fiber optics and optical communications, detection of SWIR emitters.  In addition, Marktech’s InGaAs PIN photodiodes do not require integrated thermal electric (TE) coolers, which reduces costs and improves overall efficiency.

Multispectral Broadband Photodiodes (MB PDs)

Marktech Optoelectronics broadband photodiode provides multispectral sensitivity capable of detecting from UV to SWIR wavelengths (250nm to 2600nm).  Marktech’s broadband photodiodes combine a UV detection enhanced silicon photodiode and an InGaAs photodiode.  The broadband photodetector is available in a TO-39 metal can package (MT03-041) and a ceramic SAW package (MT03-047).  Marktech UV to SWIR photodetectors find applications in the medical diagnostic, industrial sensing, optical communications, and security industries.

Custom Photodetectors to OEM Specs

Marktech has extensive capabilities to design and manufacture custom photodetectors to OEM specifications from prototype to production volumes.  The range of Marktech’s custom photodetector engineering and manufacturing include:

• Custom silicon photodiodes (Wafers, die, and packaged SiPDs)
  • Custom photovoltaic silicon PIN photodiodes
  • Custom silicon photoconductive PIN photodiodes
  • Custom silicon avalanche photodiodes
• Custom InGaAs photodiodes
• Custom silicon and InGaAs photodiode arrays
• Custom photodetector packaging
• Photodetector co-packaged with additional components:
  • Photodiodes combined with filters
  • Photodiodes combined with transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs)
  • Photodiodes combined with thermal electric coolers (TECs)
  • Photodiodes combined with LED emitters
  • Multiple photodiodes with varying spectral ranges
• Custom photodetector assemblies (boards, flexible circuits, etc.)

Marktech’s newest manufacturing facility in Simi Valley, CA produces our advanced SiPDs.  The California plant has a class 100 cleanroom and advanced packaging and assembly lines.

Marktech has a state-of-the-art optoelectronics laboratory for inspection and quality assurance testing of both detectors and emitters.  Marktech routinely employs this capability to assist customers in troubleshooting problems with competitive SiPDs and developing OEM requirement specifications.

In addition, Marktech Optoelectronics can assemble endless combinations of multiple UV, visible, NIR, and SWIR emitters or LEDs photodiode detectors with the same package.  Unique combinations of LED light sources and photodiode detectors are instrumental in developing sensors and instruments for detecting and quantifying specific chemicals, dissolved gases, and other biomarkers in process plant, clinical chemistry, wearable medical device, blood gas analysis, and point of care diagnostics.

Consult with Us Today About Your Design Project

Marktech Optoelectronics has vertically integrated capabilities to custom design and fabricate silicon photodetector and silicon photodiode array devices on wafers and then dice and package these photodiode chips with any required emitters, amplifiers, filters, and components for specific applications. This vertical integration allows Marktech to precisely control the performance and quality of the photodetectors and assemblies designed and manufactured for our customers.

Using Marktech Optoelectronics advanced silicon photodetectors in new products under development will likely lead to breakthrough designs in many analytical instrument, medical diagnostics, and industrial sensing applications.

If you have specific technical or application questions regarding your optoelectronics design project or are just interested in learning more about Marktech’s silicon photodiodes, then please reach out to us through the following:

• Contact our application engineers: info@marktechopto.com
• Request for information (RFI) or request for quote (RFQ) form: Contact Us
• For major photodiode engineering projects, contact our U.S. factory directly:
  Barry Jones, Business Unit Manager b.jones@marktechopto.com