Marktech’s innovative hybrid and silicon-InGaAs detectors.
Si-InGaAs photodiodes can enable broadband detection from 254nm to 2600nm
1. How extensive is the photodiode manufacturer’s product offering? Do their photodiodes have the wavelength sensitivity, speed, active area, and other performance parameters to meet your photo- detection requirements?
The supplier should have a broad enough product line to meet your current and future needs.
They should have photodiodes in their line-up meeting your application’s wavelength sensitivity, speed, dark current, and size needs. For example, Marktech produces both silicon and indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) photodiodes, which provide a wavelength sensitivity range from 250nm to 2600nm – or, over the ultraviolet (UVB), visible, near infrared (NIR) and short wave infrared (SWIR) bands. Marktech has an extensive line-up of photodiode detectors with these wavelengths with a range of active areas and package types. However, suppose the supplier only has one or few types of photodiodes. In that case, photodetectors may not be their main focus. As a result, they will not be able to provide as many choices, assistance in selecting the suitable detector, and guidance in developing detector specifications.
Marktech has 500+ standard or catalog detectors, LED products, and over 3000 customized products. Most catalog products are available immediately through our distributors, Digi-Key Electronics and Mouser Electronics.
In 2021, Marktech products became available in Japan through our latest partner, Rikei Corporation. Established 65 years ago in Tokyo, Rikei Corporation is a trusted trading partner and value-added solutions provider serving many electronic original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and communications companies. Rikei excels in system integration and component distribution, leveraging superior procurement skills, deep domain knowledge, and expertise in systems technology and electronics for high-quality solutions throughout the project lifecycle.
Marktech also has sales engineering representatives in Canada (ARL Group), Israel (Militram), and France & Germany (Syscom-Prorep). Our extensive offering and ability to tailor products to specific OEM design specifications have long set Marktech apart from other optoelectronic manufacturers. For example, Marktech’s photodiode detectors have various wavelength sensitivity ranges, active area sizes, and package types including TO can, SMD, PLCC, through-hole, and hermetic SMD packaging.
2. Are they familiar with specifying photodiodes for your industry application? Can the manufacturer modify or customize their photodiodes to suit your needs?
The supplier should be familiar with your application or ideally developed or customized photodetectors for similar use cases. Every application can have unique details necessitating intricate modifications to detector specifications to enable viable detection levels. Off-the-shelf or catalog photodiodes can be sufficient for less demanding applications. However, we have found in many cases that customization of a photodiode in terms of wavelength sensitivity, active area size, package type, and hermetic properties can increase the overall performance and reduce the total cost of your design. The custom component cost might be slightly higher, but reducing part count and simplifying circuit designs can result in a total cost benefit. In addition, Marktech can further customize photodetector designs by adding amplifiers, thermionic coolers, and LED emitter in the same package. Marktech can also apply anti-reflective coatings and filter coatings to windows or lids. Marktech has partnered with many OEMs to develop specialized InGaAs and silicon photodiode detectors for aerospace, analytical instrument, automotive, automation & industrial sensing, medical, and wearable applications. Our products can be found on satellites, top-tier automobiles, non-invasive medical diagnostic devices, position sensors, spectrometers, refractometers, laser alignment systems, and colorimeters.
3. Does the supplier produce LED emitters with your application’s wavelength, power output, and package type?
Position sensing, spectrometry, refractometry, LiDAR, security, and other industrial applications often use photodetectors in conjunction with an LED emitter or light source. Therefore, the manufacturer should have LED emitters with the wavelength and power ranges to complement the photodetector selected. Marktech has an extensive line of LED emitters to provide the proper light source for InGaAs and silicon photodiode detectors selected. Marktech’s testing laboratories can evaluate both emitters and detectors. In addition, our labs can customize or sort LEDs to tighter or lower variations in peak wavelength (±1nm). Our optoelectronics engineers and LED experts can further customize LEDs with packaging and assembly options such as flex circuits, COB, and PCB.
4. How long has the photodiode manufacturer been in business under the same ownership? Are they increasing in size, facilities, and capabilities?
5. Does the supplier have a history of innovation, quality, and reliability? How often are new products added to their line-up?
6. Is the photodiode supplier an integrated optoelectronics manufacturer?
Our InGaAs photodiode detector factory in Japan
7. Can the manufacturer fully test the characteristics of photodiodes and LEDs? What type of testing facilities does the manufacturer have for evaluating photodiodes and LED emitters?
The ability to test is essential in assuring quality, troubleshooting application problems, and simulating field conditions. In some cases, testing can show how variations in the application or use of a photodiode causes detection issues, which can be resolved through packaging, end-product design changes, or photodiode chip specification adjustments. Marktech has extensive expertise and laboratories for optoelectronic testing of both detectors and LED emitters.
8. Will the manufacturer be able to deliver in time to meet your design project schedule? Does the supplier have catalog or standard photodiodes available through major distributors? Where are their photodiode manufacturing facilities located?
Photodiodes should be manufactured in a country without supply chain issues arising from COIVD shutdowns, political upheavals, sanctions, or transportation problems. Ideally, your photodiode supplier should be located near your factory or within the same country. If the manufacturer has a catalog or standard offering of photodiodes, then these products could be delivered rapidly. In addition, while the specific photodiode might have to be customized for your application, a standard photodiode might help move the development process forward and collect data to finalize the photodiode specification.
Marktech has manufacturing facilities in Simi Valley, California and in Japan. We have extensive optoelectronic engineering and testing laboratories in Latham, New York and in Japan. Marktech has one the shortest delivery lead times in the photodetector industry for standard and custom photodiodes. Marktech’s standard photodiodes are available through Digi-Key Electronics and Mouser Electronics, so there is still time to order a new photodiode optical sensor for your special person.
Photodiode Supplier Checklist |
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Wide Selection of Photodiodes in Spectral Range |
Can Customize Photodiodes to OEM Needs |
Has LED Light Sources in Spectral Range |
Established, Growing Manufacturer |
Demonstrated Innovation & Reliability |
Integrated – Wafer to Packaged Detectors |
In-House Optoelectronics Test Lab |
On-time delivery of Components |
Next Steps
If you have specific technical or application questions regarding your optoelectronics design project or are just interested in learning more about Marktech’s silicon and InGaAs photodiodes, then please reach out to us through the following:
- Contact our application engineers: [email protected]
- Request for information (RFI) or request for quote (RFQ) form: Contact Us
- For major photodiode engineering projects, contact our U.S. factory directly: Vince Forte – CTO: [email protected], Barry Jones, Business Unit Manager [email protected]
- VISIT US AT SPIE Photonics West
If you can wait until after the holidays, then you can meet us at SPIE Photonics West 2024 in San Francisco Booth 237 to discuss your photodetection application with our experts.
About Marktech Optoelectronics
Marktech Optoelectronics, Inc. (www.marktechopto.com)(Marktech), is 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) LED emitters, silicon and InGaAs detectors, InP epi wafers, and other compound semiconductors.
Author & Media Contact:
Gary Kardys, Business Development Manager
[email protected]
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