Photonics West 2016: First Sensor Showcases Itself At The Trade Fair For Optical Technologies

In San Francisco, from February 16 to 18, 2016, the Berlin-based sensor technology company will be showcasing its new innovations in the field of optics and discussing trends and technologies with experts and scientists from around the world.

They help save lives, increase driving comfort and keep us up in the air safely. They also allow visions of smart cities, autonomous cars and networked factories to become a reality - sensors and sensor systems. First Sensor specializes in these tiny future makers, with thousands leaving the production line every year in Germany, the Netherlands, Canada and the USA.

"Our sensor solutions stand for technical innovation an economic growth. After all, they are a firm basis for the development and use of intelligent technologies," says Dr. Martin U. Schefter, CEO of First Sensor AG. For the Berlin-based sensor technology company, Photonics West is not just an important industry gathering – it is also the perfect platform to present itself to the North American market. This is where First Sensor wants to further expand its activities over the coming years. In addition to industrial applications, medical technology and the automotive industry are a particular focus.

Avalanche photodiode arrays allow cars to drive autonomously
Avalanche photodiode arrays were specially developed for LIDAR applications, a baseline technology for autonomous driving. Using these arrays, the distance and speed of preceding vehicles can be measured and converted into an electrical signal to trigger braking or lane changes.

Silicon photomultiplier detect illnesses
Silicon photomultipliers are highly sensitive detectors used for measuring the smallest amounts of light, including single photon detection. Typical applications of the SiPM detectors from First Sensor can be found in the fields of medical diagnostics, nuclear medicine and analysis devices.

X7 photodiodes make flying safe
X7 PIN photodiodes measure ionizing radiation and make the contents of suitcases and cargo containers visible. This not only ensures safety when flying, but is also put to use at container ports.

X100-7 detectors protect against invisible radiation
Radon is a radioactive noble gas that is released in the ground as a result of radium decay. We mostly encounter this invisible danger within our own four walls and, after smoking, it is the second most common cause of lung cancer. X100-7 detectors make the odorless, colorless and flavorless gas in Radon measurement devices visible.