Product category:
Optical Filters, Lenses, Gratings etc
News Release from: Optical Antenna Solutions | Subject: DTIRC
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 12 August 2003
Concentrator promises optoelectronics
efficiencies
A novel low-cost optical concentrator is design-adaptable for individual applications and provides performance levels of up to 50 times the maximum theoretical gain provided by a hemispherical lens.
A low-cost optical concentrator, design-adaptable for individual application needs and with performance levels of up to 50 times the maximum theoretical gain provided by a hemispherical lens, has been developed by Optical Antenna Solutions (OAS) of Coventry Added to a TO package, the sensor paves the way for a new family of components
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 18 Nov 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Optical Antenna Solutions - licensed to commercially develop the antenna - has since worked closely with Silicon Sensor in Germany, one of Europe's leading manufacturers of silicon radiation detectors, to build the antenna into the ground-breaking optical component announced today.
"OAS, working closely with our partners Silicon Sensor, have taken the DTIRC (dielectric totally internally reflecting concentrator), designed in a specific way, and produced an optical detector that unlocks the capabilities that photo-optical development organisations around the world have been looking for", said Global Marketing Director Alex Clarke.
"We have also done it at a price which will allow mass adoption across all market sectors.
We expect that optoelectronic components including IrDA devices will go through a period of enhancement to meet the demands and challenges associated with achieving more bandwidth and better signal to noise".
"We are already well down the road of seeing it working in the transportation, medical and defence markets and there are applications across any sector you care to choose.
High technology manufacturing, security systems, free-space laser transmission, laser rangefinder, aviation and TV broadcasting are ones we are already looking at but really that is just the start".
The lens module of the DTIRC means that the design can be altered for each application - dramatically improving the gain ratio where the field of view of the lens does not require maximum range.
The detector chip can be selected to give the best optimisation for the signal level and bandwidth required from the system.
This is a major advantage and has produced remarkable test results.
The DTIRC structure uses an OAS optical antenna with a FOV of 25 degrees half-angle.
Optical gain measurements have been performed on a DTIRC structure that comprises a PD2-6 Silicon Sensor detector with the optical antenna mounted on the photosensitive area, and a bare photodetector.
Experiments on different samples were carried out in order to obtained accurate data about the behaviour of the DTIRC structure with regards to angular response and optical gain.
The main benefits of the DTIRC are: wider area of incidence - hence better capture angle; better light concentration providing more gain; with more concentration comes greater distance performance; with more concentration optoelectronics manufacturers can produce smaller devices; less noise within the structure of the photodetector; smaller photodetector material means less electrical capacitive properties; and hence faster datarates.
Working along side Optical Antenna Solutions has been enabling partner Silicon Sensor, which integrated the prototype optical antenna with its detector chips to create a very much-improved sensor.
"Our partnership working style with Optical Antenna has produced, in DTIRC, a remarkable detector package and is an excellent example of what can be achieved when organisations get together with a determination to succeed", said Peter Nash, UK-based Director of International Sales and Projects of Silicon Sensors.
Versions have been produced for low light levels, using Silicon Sensor's series-6 chips and for applications needing high bandwidth using high-speed epitaxial series-5 chips.
Silicon Sensor is already working with the Optical Antenna using Silicon Sensor's APDs integrated with high speed transimpedance amplifiers for very-high-speed, low-light-level applications.
Optical Antenna Solutions is available to provide test results to other organisations where appropriate.
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