The globally recognized excellent analog/mixed signal wafer foundry X-FAB Silicon Foundries ("X-FAB") today announced the launch of a dedicated near-infrared version of a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) device combination. Keeping pace with the previous generation SPAD released in 2021, the new version is also based on the XH018 platform of the X-FAB 180 nanometer process. Thanks to the additional process flow added during the manufacturing process, while maintaining the same low background noise level, the signal is significantly enhanced without negatively affecting parameters such as dark counting rate, post pulse, and breakdown voltage.
By launching this latest version of the product, X-FAB has successfully enriched its selection range of SPAD products and enhanced its ability to understand numerous emerging applications that are crucial for near-infrared imaging. These emerging applications cover flight time sensing, vehicle LiDAR imaging, biophotonics and FLIM research work, as well as various related activities in the medical field. The new single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) device can enhance the sensitivity of the entire near-infrared (NIR) band, with sensitivity increases of 40% and 35% for key wavelengths of 850 nm and 905 nm, respectively.
Due to the suppression of ultraviolet and visible light, the use of new SPAD devices will reduce the complexity of visible light filtering. Therefore, the design of the filter will be simpler and the number of components involved will also be reduced. In addition, due to the identical substrate size of the new SPAD compared to the previous generation of devices, it is more convenient for customers to switch products: customers only need to replace the existing design with new devices to achieve significant performance advantages.
X-FAB has compiled a comprehensive PDK for its near-infrared SPAD version, which includes extensive documentation and application instructions. The optical and electrical simulation models will provide engineers with the additional design support they need to integrate these devices into circuits in a short period of time.
Industrial robots use SPAD for flight time distance measurement
As Heming Wei, Marketing Manager of X-FAB Sensor Products, said, "Our SPAD technology has received very positive market feedback and has been favored by many customers. Thanks to continuous innovation at the process level, we are now able to develop a set of solutions that will fuel our business development in various near-infrared applications such as automobiles, healthcare, and life sciences
The new near-infrared enhanced SPAD is now available on the market. Engineers can immediately start using new devices for design.
