Phlux Technology to showcase the world’s highest performance 1550 nm IR sensor APDs for laser range finders, optical test, LiDAR and free space optical communications
Sheffield, UK, January 7, 2026: Phlux Technology, a manufacturer of avalanche photodiode (APD) infrared (IR) sensors, will be showcasing its Aura family of Noiseless InGaAs® APDs at SPIE Photonics West, San Francisco, January 20-22, 2026, on booth 5528. The booth will feature two demonstrations: one for 1550 nm LiDAR, an essential long-distance IR sensing technology for assisted driving (ADAS) and autonomous vehicle applications, and the second for Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDR), where the sensors boost range and improve fault-detection accuracy.
The Aura family of sensors, available in 30 µm, 80 µm and 200 µm versions, are 12X more sensitive than traditional InGaAs APDs and extend the range and accuracy of IR systems by up to 50% for a given laser power. Alternatively, for a given range, significantly lower laser power is needed, which reduces system costs by up to 40% and size and weight by up to 30%, not least due to simplified thermal management. The sensors are designed for professional laser range finders, fiber optic test equipment (OTDRs), long-distance LiDAR, and free-space optical communications. In all these applications, the adoption of 1550 nm ensures eye-safe operation, eliminating one of the biggest disadvantages of 905 nm IR systems.
Aura APDs will operate at up to +85 °C with minimal performance degradation, which is significantly higher than traditional sensors. They feature high dynamic range and fast recovery from powerful reflected signals to minimize dead zones in OTDR applications, which can otherwise mean faults close to the instruments may go undetected. The high sensitivity of the APDs also enables higher resolution so that even minor faults can be detected in fiber optic networks, and tiny objects with low reflectivity identified in range finding and LiDAR applications. These benefits are equally applicable to emerging hollow-core fiber (HCF) technologies, which promise up to 47% greater data speeds and significantly lower latency than current networks.
Aura Noiseless InGaAs APDs are designed to meet MIL-STD-883, are qualified to Telcordia GR-468 and are drop-in replacements for existing surface mount or TO-packaged components, enabling instant upgrades to existing systems.
Noiseless InGaAs APD technology was developed by adding an antimony alloy to the compound semiconductor manufacturing process. The resulting devices operate with internal gain of up to 120, enabling the smallest signals to be detected above the noise floor.
Aura sensors are sampling now, and product briefs for each version can be downloaded here.
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Photo Caption
Aura Noiseless InGaAs® APD Technology is a finalist in the ‘Sensors’ category of the 2026 SPIE Prism Awards.
About Phlux Technology
Phlux Technology designs, manufactures and markets 1550 nm infrared (IR) sensors that are 12x more sensitive than alternatives. As a result, Phlux’s Noiseless InGaAs® Avalanche Photodiodes (APD) detect signals at up to 50% greater distance in range finders, LiDAR systems, and optical fibre test equipment. In every application, Phlux sensors boost performance, simplify thermal management, and cut system cost and size through relaxing laser and optics requirements. The sensors are available as bare die or in industry-standard surface-mount or wire-ended packages, so can be retrofitted to existing systems. The technology is cost-competitive for mass-market adoption.
Founded in 2020 and based in Sheffield, UK, Phlux Technology is a spin-out from Sheffield University. The company's patented technology is the result of eight years of research at the university and its co-founders are Ben White (Phlux CEO), Jo Shien Ng (Professor of Semiconductor Devices), Chee Hing Tan (Head of Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering).
Phlux raised seed funding round of £4 million led by Octopus Ventures in December 2022 and a £9 million Series A round led by BGF in March 2025.
More information about Phlux can be found here.
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