Dynamic photodiode eases logic-photovoltaic integration
The dynamic photodiode (DPD) includes a voltage that is switched from reverse to forward and the applied forward bias induces a large forward current after a time delay. In these circumstances it is the delay, rather than the current, that is dependent on the light intensity. This delay-time dependence provides a new method of measuring light intensity and the output signal can be several orders of magnitude higher than the conventional PIN photodiode.
ActLight has implemented the DPD in a photonics manufacturing technology provided by the Institute of Microelectronics (IME) of Singapore after 18 months collaboration with the Singaporean institute. Due to its high internal gain and low noise the DPD eliminates the need for an amplifier and can be interfaced directly to CMOS circuits, the company said. In parallel, ActLight has validated their technology by using a standard CMOS process with excellent results that confirms the advantages of ActLight’s Dynamic Photodiode implemented with today’s standard CMOS technologies.
The co-developed photodiode provides the means to integrate a low power sensitive and easy to integrate photodetector into CMOS logic with potential applications in mobile devices and medical electronics and in data communications.
"Our dynamic photodiode has applications in proximity sensors, gesture control sensors, and in the future, in light data transfer and 3D cameras," said Serguei Okhonin, CEO of ActLight, in a statement. "Leveraging this breakthrough and proprietary technology, ActLight sees potential for explosive growth in different verticals such as mobile technology and medtech. We see considerable interest from industry for our innovation."
Related links and articles:
News articles:
Ten analog, MEMS and sensor startups to watch in 2014
Startup offers chip-scale solar energy harvester
Silex funded to develop PZT energy harvest process
Energy-harvest IC broadens benefits of battery-free technology
MicroGen’s piezoMEMS energy harvesters enable wireless sensor network
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
