Opto Diode Corporation has designed and manufactured photodiodes, LEDs, and infrared detectors in Camarillo, California since 1981. Over more than four decades it grew from a specialist custom-LED maker into a full-spectrum photonics manufacturer — covering EUV, UV, and infrared detection — and became a division of ITW (Illinois Tool Works) in 2008. Today its detectors and emitters serve the semiconductor, aerospace and defense, medical, and scientific-research markets, all backed by US-based wafer fabrication.
Four decades of photonics, at a glance
From custom LEDs to full-spectrum photonics
Opto Diode started with custom red and near-infrared LEDs, serving customers who required high-reliability, precision-engineered light sources. That focus on quality made it a trusted partner for industrial and defense applications where performance cannot be compromised — and it remains the foundation of today’s IR emitter and LED lines.
How Opto Diode built a full-spectrum portfolio
Two additions extended Opto Diode’s spectral reach — one an acquisition, one a merger of a sister ITW company:
| Company | Brought to Opto Diode | Product lines today |
|---|---|---|
| IRD (2011 acquisition) International Radiation Detectors |
Radiation-hard UV, X-ray, and high-energy particle detection for space, scientific, and industrial use | AXUV and SXUV photodiodes |
| Cal Sensors (2014 merger) Santa Rosa, CA |
Mid-infrared detectors, emitters, and lead-salt components | PbSe and PbS IR detectors and emitters |
Together they let Opto Diode offer a portfolio from extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and deep ultraviolet (DUV) through the mid-infrared, all supported by US-based wafer fabrication and thin-film coating.
Opto Diode today
Opto Diode manufactures EUV photodetectors, UV detectors, and high-reliability IR emitters trusted across:
- Semiconductor manufacturing and metrology
- Aerospace and defense systems
- Medical and scientific research
- Industrial monitoring and sensing
With ITAR registration and an in-house wafer fab, the company continues to build custom optical solutions to the most demanding performance and environmental standards. Learn more about the company on the US manufacturing page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Opto Diode founded?
Opto Diode Corporation was founded in 1981 in Camarillo, California, where it still designs and manufactures its photodiodes, LEDs, and infrared detectors.
Is Opto Diode part of ITW?
Yes. Opto Diode became a division of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), a Fortune 200 industrial company, in 2008.
Where do the AXUV and SXUV photodiodes come from?
They originate with International Radiation Detectors (IRD), a specialist in radiation-hard UV and X-ray detection that Opto Diode acquired in 2011.
What did the Cal Sensors merger add?
Cal Sensors, merged into Opto Diode in 2014, brought mid-infrared detectors and lead-salt (PbS and PbSe) components — the basis of Opto Diode’s gas-sensing, thermal, and flame-detection detector lines.
Looking ahead
Whether you need custom EUV photodiodes for semiconductor lithography, ITAR-registered infrared detectors for defense systems, or precision-engineered LEDs for industrial sensing, Opto Diode — a division of ITW — is a US partner for reliable, high-performance photonics. Contact our team or download the product catalog to get started.
Reviewed and updated July 2026.
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