Advanced Photonix patents color-specific detectors.CAMARILLO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 1996--Advanced Photonix Inc. (ASE (Adaptive Server Enterprise) A relational DBMS from Sybase that runs on Windows NT/2000, Linux and a variety of Unix platforms. ASE is a comprehensive and robust data management product with a long history dating back to the late 1980s. :API (Application Programming Interface) A language and message format used by an application program to communicate with the operating system or some other control program such as a database management system (DBMS) or communications protocol. ) announced Monday that it has received a U.S. patent for a breakthrough "filter-on-die" technology used in a new product offering of color-specific detectors. Introducing the new product line, James W. Ward, chairman of the board, said: "This novel concept in detector technology provides a new, simple solution for opportunistic customers. The color-specific detector will not only lower a customer's cost, but also improve performance and reliability. "We estimate that it may appeal to as many as 75% of all silicon detector users who otherwise depend on costlier subassemblies that require additional material and labor to perform the filtering. We expect users in a large number of applications, including space, automotive, military, environmental sensing, bar code scanning and medical diagnostics, will benefit from these new color-specific detector products." The technology combines optical coatings An optical coating is a process of placing thin layer of material on an optical component such as a lens or mirror which alters the way in which the optic reflects and transmits light. with a photodiode A light sensor (photodetector) that allows current to flow in one direction from one side to the other when it absorbs photons (light). The more light, the more the current. Used to detect light pulses in optical fibers and other light-sensitive applications, it works the opposite of a directly on the detector chip, replacing previous designs that require a piece of colored filtered glass or pigmented epoxy epoxy Any of a class of thermosetting polymers, polyethers built up from monomers with an ether group that takes the form of a three-membered epoxide ring. The familiar two-part epoxy adhesives consist of a resin with epoxide rings at the ends of its molecules and a curing in another sub-assembly on top of the detector. The patent specifies that the filters can be used with API's double-sided detectors. The filtered surface can act as the signal channel. The electrodes Electrodes Tiny wires in adhesive pads that are applied to the body for ECG measurement. Mentioned in: Electrocardiography that connect the photodiode to the external circuit can be on the filter-free surface, which is also light sensitive. The electrode electrode, terminal through which electric current passes between metallic and nonmetallic parts of an electric circuit. In most familiar circuits current is carried by metallic conductors, but in some circuits the current passes for some distance through a surface can serve as the reference channel, eliminating the need for a second detector. Since one detector is performing the job of two, the cost to the user is lower and calibration is no longer necessary, thereby simplifying the customer's detector systems. The integrated coatings can be tailored to pass certain colors of the spectrum, while blocking others remarkably well, a key consideration when engineers design most light detection systems. The company indicated that although the technology offers a simpler design and lower cost, reliability and performance are improved because the design is resistant to moisture, shock and vibration. Advanced Photonix is a high technology growth company that designs and manufactures opto-electronic semiconductor-based components and hybrid assemblies, including proprietary silicon Large Area Avalanche Photodiode Avalanche photodiodes (APDs) are photodetectors that can be regarded as the semiconductor analog to photomultipliers. By applying a high reverse bias voltage (typically 100-200 V in silicon), APDs show an internal current gain effect (around 100) due to impact ionization (avalanche . CONTACT: Advanced Photonix Inc. Patrick J. Holmes, 805/987-0146 |
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