South Korean semiconductor device manufacturer Sigetronics (CEO Kyuhwan Shim) announced on the 15th that it has successfully achieved mass production of high-performance silicon (Si) avalanche photodiode (APD) sensors, paving the way for broader domestic and international market penetration.
This milestone was made possible through a technology transfer from the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) and support from a technical assistance program. The achievement is particularly notable as the production was fully localized and commercialized using Sigetronics' in-house semiconductor fabrication facility (M-FAB).
APDs are advanced optical sensors offering higher gain and faster switching speeds than standard photodiodes. They are core components in a wide range of applications including autonomous vehicles, drones, robotics, smart city traffic monitoring, laser rangefinders, night vision systems, missile tracking, and infrared detection. The devices are in high demand across both civilian and defense sectors.
Until now, only a few companies in the U.S., Japan, and Germany were capable of producing such high-sensitivity APDs, mostly offering them in pre-packaged formats. This has led to high prices and long lead times for domestic and global module manufacturers.
By transitioning to full in-house mass production, Sigetronics has gained a competitive edge in both pricing and supply stability.
The company's APD sensors feature:
Operating voltages between 100–150V
Internal gain exceeding 100
Leakage current suppressed to just a few picoamperes
Capacitance as low as 1 picofarad, making them ideal for high-speed switching in LiDAR systems
The product has already begun commercial deployment in LiDAR sensors for autonomous mobile robots, with promotional efforts targeting over 30 client companies. Sigetronics expects to rapidly increase its market share and sees future applications in Korean defense systems and robotics, contributing to export diversification.
Building on this success, the company plans to expand its product lineup by:
Widening the breakdown voltage range to 60–250V
Extending optical sensitivity from the green to infrared spectrum
Sigetronics is also developing high-value APD-based sensors for biomedical applications, such as heart rate, SpO₂, and glucose monitoring. The company expects to tap into new markets worth several hundred billion KRW annually.
