Avalanche photodiodes: Mynaric signs R&D contract with Leti

Germany’s Mynaric, which specializes in dynamic airborne and space communication networks, recently signed an exclusive R&D contract with Leti. The R&D conducted under the contract will focus on a new generation of avalanche photodiodes (APD) for optical open-air communications (inter-satellite, satellite-to-ground, and balloons).

Leti has been developing APD technology for a decade. The institute’s research in this field was initially intended for very sensitive imagers, but other applications—LIDAR, photon counting, and telecommunications—soon emerged. In 2013, Leti teamed up with NASA and ESA to demonstrate that data transmission by laser between the earth and moon was possible. APDs are very sensitive and can significantly amplify signals. Now researchers must prove that the diodes can deliver the very high data transmission speeds demanded by optical telecommunications networks.

Contact: pierre.castelein@cea.fr

Read (or re-read) the 2009 article (in French): goo.gl/Pu8mR9

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