• Proven technology developed at TSMC now ready for mass production
• Innovative GeSi photonics-based approach overcomes current 3D image sensor limitations and enables operation at safer laser wavelengths (1050-1550nm) than existing solutions

Artilux, an innovator in optical and electronics technology, announces its new Artilux Explore Series for wide spectrum 3D sensing. By operating at longer wavelength light than conventional solutions, the new Explore Series delivers exceptional accuracy, reduces the risk of eye damage and minimizes sunlight interference, enabling a consistent outdoor-indoor user experience. The breakthrough is based on a new GeSi technology platform developed by Artilux in cooperation with TSMC. 

Through a series of technological breakthroughs, ranging from advanced material, sensor design to system and algorithm innovation, Artilux has redefined the performance of 3D sensing. With its new GeSi Time-of-Flight (ToF) technology, the company has managed to overcome a critical industry bottleneck – the limited ability to absorb light across a broader spectrum for safety and minimum sunlight interference – and is now set to fundamentally transform 3D sensing technology and applications. 

Current 3D sensing technology from other companies usually works at wavelengths less than 1μm, typically 850nm or 940nm. These wavelengths have two major drawbacks: firstly, poor outdoor performance due to interference from sunlight, and secondly a potential risk of irreparably damaging eyesight with misused or malfunctioning lasers, since the human retina can easily absorb laser energy at such wavelengths. Existing attempts to extend the spectrum to wavelengths above 1μm have suffered from poor quantum efficiency (QE), falling drastically from around 30% at 940nm to 0% for wavelength 1μm and above. 

The new Artilux technology integrates GeSi as the light absorption material with CMOS technology on a silicon wafer. It eliminates existing physics and engineering bottlenecks by significantly increasing QE to 70% at 940nm, as well as further extending the available spectrum up to 1550nm by achieving 50% QE at this wavelength. Combined with modulation frequency at 300 MHz and above, it delivers higher accuracy and better performance in sunlight and greatly reduces the risk of eye damage – all at a competitive price. It is now ready for mass production. 

Erik Chen, CEO at Artilux, said, "Intelligence is shaped by connecting the dots among experiences originating from how we perceive our surroundings. At Artilux, we believe intelligence and technology evolution start with observation and connections, and by exploring and expanding the frontiers of advanced photonic technology for sensing and connectivity, we aim to be an integral part of the infrastructure for future AI and technology evolution to be built upon. The Explore Series is named after this pioneering spirit and sets out to unleash the full potential of wide spectrum 3D sensing." 

The new wide spectrum 3D sensing technology will enable numerous new opportunities from short range applications such as 3D facial recognition, with sub-mm depth accuracy in both indoor and outdoor environments, to mid-long range applications, including augmented reality, security cameras, as well as robotics and autonomous vehicles. 

The first wide spectrum 3D ToF image sensors of the new Explore Series, with multiple resolutions and ecosystem partners, will be announced in Q1 2020. 

Artilux has realized 3D depth sensing at longer wavelength.
Pictured is the real 3D imager captured by Artilux’s sensor that operates at 1310nm.

Learn more about our products and solutions, please visit our official website (https://www.artiluxtech.com) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/artilux-inc./) 

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About Artilux
Artilux, renowned for being the world leader of GeSi photonic technology, has been at the forefront of wide-spectrum 3D sensing and consumer optical connectivity since 2014. Established on fundamental technology breakthroughs, Artilux has been making multidisciplinary innovations covering integrated optics, system architecture to computing algorithm, and emerged as an innovation enabler for smartphone, autonomous driving, augmented reality and beyond. Our vision is to keep pioneering the frontier of photonic technologies and transform them into enrichment for real life experience. We enlighten the path from information to intelligence. Find out more at www.artiluxtech.com.