DEPHAN is a developer of next-generation photodetectors with outstanding technical performance.

Why photodetectors?

Photodetectors are the key element for many rapidly growing applications and markets:

  • Automotive LiDAR Industry
  • Medical Equipment
  • Spectrophotometry
  • Optical communication
  • and many others

Existing technologies are a performance bottleneck for LIDAR market players.

DEPHAN has designed a device that eliminates the drawbacks of first-generation automotive LiDARs and finally enables building automotive LiDAR devices fit for mass adoption which are long-range, high-resolution and affordable.


Thus, DEPHAN technology perfectly matches the needs of next-gen LiDAR developers. Our samples are already being tested by several international companies and have received positive feedback. Our portfolio of international partnership is constantly growing.

In 2020 DEPHAN is aiming to attract a new round of investments and launch mass production of photodetectors for the LIDAR market as well as start pre-product lot development for optical communications and bio-med markets.

Applications

Replacement of vacuum photomultipliers (PMTs) with a solid-state – one of the DEPHAN’s goals.

Based on design potential and the first positive results of testing the DEPHAN pilot prototypes we can expect following applications:

LiDARs

Medical Equipment

Biotechnology

Industrial Measurement

Free-Space Communication

Spectrophotometry

Timeline

Earlier…

1990s

The two principal technical solutions proposed and realized by the authors of the project Dr. Shubin and Dr. Shushakov in the middle of the 1990s made it possible to solve the ultimate problem of signal detection: analog detection with single-electron sensitivity threshold. The first one is effect of self-calibration of current cord provoked by a single electron in avalanche structure with negative feedback in conditions of above-critical voltage. This effect allows one to realize a single-electron threshold amplifier with high response probability and stable calibrated output signal. The second is utilization of avalanche structure with negative feedback in the above-critical “Geiger” mode and merging output signals emerging from such structure of threshold single electron amplifiers for the purpose of analog signals detection.

Beginning of 2000

Since the beginning of 2000s the research group under supervision of Dr. Shubin develops alternative to conventional SiPMs approach to design of multicell solid-state photomultipliers with wide dynamic range.

2013

The Russian Quantum Center opens a new research direction for DEPHAN analog photodetectors with increased dynamic range, high sensitivity, high speed and low intrinsic noise.

2014

DEPHAN is registered as a company. Start of interaction with the fab.

2015

Key elements of manufacturing technology are set up and refined on top of standard fab processes. Project is presented before Skolkovo Foundation grant committee and wins 3 year grant.

2016

Applications for Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and Russian patents are filed. Technology is proven experimentally: experimental sample is produced with 1х1 mm2 surface area, 4.4х104 mm-2 amplification channels (cells) density and light-sensitive area (fill-factor) of 83%.

July 2017

Test sample of SSPM DEPHAN is obtained.

August 2017

Preliminary evaluation of test sample against commercial SSPMs in typical application tasks (LiDAR, Hi-Res PET) displays the potential of new technology in a range of applications. Preliminary data-sheet of the new SSPM is composed based on test sample measurements.

November 2017

Patent applications are submitted for national phases (USA, Japan, and Europe).

February 2018

Device construction and main achieved parameters are presented and published on Photonics West 2018.

November 2018

Threshold sensitivity of DEPHAN device is compared with on-market alternatives, results are presented and published on Photonics Asia 2018.

Q3 2018

Manufactured the test samples with enhanced parameters customized on area and spectral response for several applications, as well as the 2×2 matrix prototype.

Q4 2018

LiDAR-like setup (rangefinder) comparing DEPHAN and on-market SiPM under the same conditions is built and demonstrated clear advantage of DEPHAN device.

Q1 2019

Complete MEMS-based LiDAR is built, demonstrating good range (10s of meters) in daylight conditions on bare detector’s 1 mm² aperture (without any optics).

May 2019

Amplitude and time resolution of DEPHAN device is compared with on-market alternatives, results are presented and published on SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing.

June 2019

Test LiDAR setup is demonstrated on Laser World of Photonics 2019 in Munich.

July 2019

Test LiDAR setup is demonstrated on ICQT 2019 in Moscow.

Q2 2019

Customized test samples and 1D arrays based on feedback from customer evaluation are manufactured.

August 2019

Research program funded by Skolkovo grant is successfully complete.

October 2019

DEPHAN technology is exhibited on Commercial UAV Expo 2019 in Las Vegas.

2020

Start of industrial manufacture.

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