Sheffield University spin-off Phlux Technology —which designs and manufactures 1550nm avalanche photodiode (APD) infrared sensors — has won an Institute of Physics (IOP) Business Start-Up Award 2024. Presented at the Houses of Parliament in London, the award celebrates young companies leveraging physics for innovation and impact. It recognized Phlux’s Aura family of Noiseless indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) infrared (IR) sensors, which is said to have set new standards for sensitivity and performance in optical systems such as LiDAR, laser range finders, and optical fiber communications test equipment.

Left to right: Phlux Technology’s co-founders Chee Hing Tan (head of University of Sheffield’s Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering), Jo Shien Ng (Professor of Semiconductor Devices at University of Sheffield), and Ben White (CEO).

Phlux’s patented compound semiconductor technology is claimed to result in a 12x sensitivity boost for 1550nm-wavelength InGaAs APDs in IR sensing applications, extending the range of optical systems by up to 50% for a given laser power while significantly reducing costs and size. Designed as drop-in replacements for conventional APDs, Aura sensors provide instant performance improvements.

Phlux began shipping production quantities of its sensors in early 2024 and has already seen strong demand, particularly in North America.

Two other companies also received an IoP Business Start-Up 2024 award at the event: Metasonixx for its acoustic materials and Silveray for its colour x-ray cameras.
 

TrendForce 2024 Infrared Sensing Application Market and Branding Strategies
Release: 01 January 2024
Format: PDF
Language: Traditional Chinese / English
Page: 172