Photodiodes and Arrays
Excelitas utilizes Silicon and InGaAs materials for our photodiodes to provide detection from 220 nm to 1700 nm. These devices are offered in a variety of sizes to meet customer sensitivity and speed requirements. Many different types of photodiodes are available to serve various unique applications.
Our photodiode arrays are used to generate an X-ray image by scanning an object line by line. The X-rays are converted into light through the attached scintillator crystal. The light intensity is then measured by the photodiodes. The boards are employing chip-on-board technology with optically-adapted scintillator crystals.
Additional Resources
Why should you choose Excelitas as your provider of Photodiodes and Array Solutions?
Excelitas is recognized globally as a leader in the design and production of cutting-edge, advanced photonic detection solutions that deliver unmatched reliability and performance in various applications. These photodiode array detector solutions have been manufactured to meet our customers’ speed and sensitivity requirements.
Our comprehensive range of photodiode array detector units fully utilize Silicon and InGaAs materials to provide detection from 220 nm to 1700 nm. With this wide range of photodiode array products, we are able to help our customers develop devices at the forefront of technology. Look to Excelitas’ extensive experience in advanced photonic technologies to deliver reliable products that meet the demands of the market.
What are the different uses of Photodiodes and Arrays?
A photodiode array is an array of photodiodes that have been packaged on a single chip. The configurations of photodiodes on the chip can be one-dimensional, linear strips, or two-dimensional arrays.
Photodiode arrays are commonly used in applications that need measurements, such as in moderate to high-intensity imaging applications. Unlike traditional CCD sensors, photodiode arrays offer more sensitivity toward low-light applications while typically costing less than CCD sensors. They are designed to provide a highly sensitive response in specialized applications, such as in measuring the reflectance or scattering of light in LiDAR systems, chromatography, fluorescence, and spectroscopy.
What types of Photodiodes and Arrays do you offer?
Excelitas proudly offers advanced solutions that enable customers to achieve their goals through our comprehensive range of photodiodes and arrays products.
Here are some more pieces of information about each available product line:
- Silicon PIN Photodiodes - for versatile solutions that accommodate numerous potential applications, silicon PIN photodiodes are ideal. They come with a PIN structure, which offers high quantum efficiency and fast response times in the detection of photons in the 400 nm to 1100 nm range.
- Photodiodes for Radon Detection - the VTH21 series of photodiode sensors by Excelitas provides excellent radon detection capabilities. These sensors come with a robust chip design for the optimal detection of alpha particles emitted by radioactive materials like radon gas. They also have low capacitances to be more responsive against any radiation of interest and come in two configurations, namely the 5x5mm and 10x10mm, with both offering large active areas for maximum detection of low-level radiation.
- Photodiode Arrays - Excelitas offers a wide array of standard catalog photodiode arrays that have standard pitch values ranging from 0.8mm to 2.5mm. These devices are well-suited for x-ray imaging and can be customized for more specialized applications.
- Optoelectronic Components for Smoke Detection - electro-optical smoke detector units generally comprise two components: an emitting diode and a photodiode assembly. These components enable the device to accurately detect the presence of smoke and are well-equipped to address the requirements of electro-optical smoke detectors.
- InGaAs PIN Photodiodes - providing high quantum efficiency within the 800 nm to 1700 nm range, the InGaAs PIN detectors provide high resistance for high sensitivity, low capacitance, high linearity, and excellent uniformity across the detection active area to ensure maximum performance.
- Industry Standard Si Photodiodes - this product family features Excelitas’ VTD series of planar silicon photodiodes. These come in molded plastic packages that transmit infrared signals while blocking visible light. These versatile products can be used in a wide range of applications as a replacement for competitive devices.
- Fast-Response Si Photodiodes - for applications that require an excellent response in the IR-spectral range, Excelitas’ fast-response silicon photodiodes are an ideal choice. These devices can be operated under reverse bias to achieve lower capacitance levels that ensure faster response times or in photovoltaic mode, which increases its response times and is ideal for applications where the speed of response is not critical.
- Blue-Enhanced Si Photodiodes - designed for optimum response to the visible light spectrum, this photo diode array series comprises P on N silicon planar photodiodes that can be operated variably under photovoltaic mode and a small reverse bias.
- Ambient Light Sensors - for applications that require a response similar to the human eye, then our ambient light sensors are the ideal solution. IR-filtered silicon phototransistors and IR-filtered silicon photodiodes can be used to measure ambient light intensity to trigger a response from the device.
What are the applications of Photodiodes and Arrays?
Excelitas’ comprehensive range of products for photodiodes and arrays can be used in many applications including the applications below, among others:
- LiDAR
- Telecom
- Instrumentation
- Electro-optical smoke detection
- X-ray scanning of luggage, cargo and food
- Non-destructive testing
- Ambient light sensing
- UV and blue light sensing
- Flame monitoring
- Light meters
- Pulse oximeters
Do you offer custom Photodiodes and Arrays?
Excelitas has been known to produce high-quality photonic solutions that can be applied to a wide range of applications. All our products have been manufactured following the highest quality standards to ensure their reliability and effectiveness. These are all available off-the-shelf, but special requests are also welcome to help our customers with more specific applications. Should you have any questions and special requests, do not hesitate to communicate with us to ensure that your requests are accommodated during design and production.

Silicon PIN Photodiodes
Silicon PIN photodiodes are available in a wide variety of active areas to accommodate various applications. The PIN structure allows high quantum efficiency and fast response for detection of photons in the 400 nm to 1100 nm range. Our YAG Series offers an exceptional 0.4 A/W at 1060 nm by using a...
Read More
Photodiodes for Radon Detection
The Excelitas VTH21 Series of photodiodes are offered in chip form for optimal alpha particle detection such as radon gas detection applications. Featuring a robust chip design, these low capacitance silicon photodiodes provide high responsivity to radiation of interest. These photodiodes are...
Read More
Photodiode Arrays
Excelitas offers a wide variety of standard catalog photodiode arrays. With standard pitch values from 0.8 mm to 2.5 mm, you are sure to find the right detector for your X-ray imaging needs. In addition to a wide range of standard catalog items, we also offer customization to meet the unique...
Read More
Optoelectronic Components for Smoke Detection
An electro-optical smoke detector consists of an emitting diode and photodiode assembly which exhibits a signal under the presence of smoke. Excelitas offers emitting diodes and photodiodes, as well as custom assemblies to address the requirements of electro-optical smoke detectors.
Read More
InGaAs PIN Photodiodes
The InGaAs PIN Detectors provide high quantum efficiency from 800 nm to 1700 nm. They feature low capacitance for extended bandwidth, high resistance for high sensitivity, high linearity, and uniformity within two percent across the detector active area.
Read More
Industry Standard Si Photodiodes
Our product family of Industry Standard Silicon Photodiodes consists of our VTD Series of planar silicon photodiodes in an infrared transmitting, visible-blocking molded plastic package. These photodiodes have been used in many applications as a replacement for competitive devices.
Read More
Fast-Response Si Photodiodes
Our Fast-Response Silicon Photodiodes offer low-junction capacitance to achieve fast response times. They can be operated under reverse bias to decrease the capacitance and further increase the speed of response or in photovoltaic mode in applications where speed of response is not critical. With...
Read More
Blue-Enhanced Si Photodiodes
The Blue-Enhanced Series of P on N Silicon Planar Photodiodes are designed for optimum response through the visible part of the spectrum. Photodiodes from this series are primarily intended to be used in photovoltaic mode but can also be used with a small reverse bias. Versions with a UV...
Read More
Ambient Light Sensors
Excelitas offers ambient light sensors that provide an easy solution for applications requiring a response similar to the human eye. Within this product family, we offer two types of devices: IR-filtered Silicon Photodiodes and IR-Filtered Silicon Phototransistors.
Read More