Application · Photonics & Integrated Systems
Detectors for photonic systems, test equipment, and integrated photonics
As photonic systems become more complex, detectors need to move closer to the chip, become easier to integrate, and support scalable manufacturing. Single-photon and low-light detection are important for quantum photonics, optical testing, communication systems, and lab instrumentation.
Why CMOS-compatible detector technology matters
A silicon-compatible germanium SPAD platform can substantially reduce integration barriers between photonic components, detector arrays, and electronic readout.
This matters wherever discrete detector modules add cost, complexity, size, and packaging constraints to the system — from quantum-photonic experiments to optical test equipment to compact communication modules.
GeQD's contribution
A detector platform for future photonic systems — SWIR-sensitive, without cryogenic infrastructure.
GeQD is developing a detector platform intended to serve future photonic systems that need SWIR-sensitive single-photon detection — without relying on expensive or cryogenic detector infrastructure.
Technical integration criteria
Criteria we work through with system integrators and photonic designers to define a concrete detector specification.
Coupling to optical paths
Compatibility with fibre, free-space, and on-chip waveguide coupling for direct integration with photonic circuits. Waveguide-coupled detectors are at an early research stage (TRL 1–2).
Detector active area
Active area scaled to mode-field diameters and acceptance angles of the target photonic system.
Timing jitter
Sub-100 ps targets enable TCSPC, coincidence detection, and high-rate quantum-photonic experiments.
Readout compatibility
CMOS-compatible interfaces for direct co-integration with analogue front-ends and digital signal processing.
Wafer-level manufacturability
Ge-on-Si processing aligned with established silicon foundry flows for repeatable, scalable production.
Array scaling
Roadmap from single pixels to linear and 2D SPAD arrays for spatially resolved photon counting.
Packaging & module integration
Standard semiconductor packaging targeted to drop into existing photonic and instrumentation modules.
Based on laboratory measurement targets — concrete values will be published as characterisation completes.
Talk to GeQD about detector integration.
We engage with photonic designers, test equipment vendors, and research groups on integration pathways for SWIR single-photon detection.
Universität Stuttgart – Institut für Halbleitertechnik
Contact
Pfaffenwaldring 47
70569 Stuttgart, Deutschland
Tel: +49 711 68560896
info@geqd.de
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