Advanced Photonix Inc. Announces Agreement to Supply Avalanche Photodiodes for Use in Retinal Imaging System.

Business Editors &High-Tech/Health/Medical Writers

CAMARILLO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 4, 2000

Advanced Photonix Inc.(R) (AMEX:API), the leading developer and manufacturer of large area avalanche photodiodes (LAAPD), today announced a $350,000 agreement to provide its proprietary LAAPD cooled detectors to Optos PLC, Dunfermline, U.K.

The detectors are a key component in the Optos Panoramic 200 Ophthalmoscope, a revolutionary system developed using Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope (SLO) technology.

Optos developed its new eye-care technology to provide ophthalmologists and optometrists with improved image capture and analysis capability for the early detection and prevention of eye disease. This image is captured in a patient-friendly manner without the need for dilation, contact with the cornea or scleral depression.

In announcing the order, Brock Koren, president and chief executive officer of Advanced Photonix, said: &uot;The SLO technology incorporated in the Panoramic 200 utilizes a low-powered laser beam which scans the retina two dimensionally. Light reflected from the retina is detected by our LAAPD and transformed into a digital computer image.

&uot;The LAAPD is ideal for this application due to its large active area, high quantum efficiency (QE) and low dark current. This is the first production order of what we expect will be a significant ongoing relationship.&uot;

David Cairns, managing director of Optos PLC, said: &uot;Our decision to use API's LAAPD detectors was based on their exceptional performance in our low light level environment. In addition to their high QE, internal gain, excellent spatial uniformity and mechanical ruggedness, the availability of integral cooling enables excellent performance stability. API's enabling technology has proven to be ideal for the Panoramic 200.&uot;

Optos Inc. has operations in Dunfermline, Scotland, and in Boston. Information on the Panoramic 200 system is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.optos.com.

Advanced Photonix Inc. is a high-technology company that designs and manufactures silicon photodetectors, optoelectronic hybrid assemblies and proprietary solid state large area avalanche photodiodes. Information on Advanced Photonix is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.advancedphotonix.com.