Opto Diode Corporation, a division of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), designs and manufactures optoelectronic detectors and emitters at its Camarillo, California facility that operate across an unusually wide slice of the electromagnetic spectrum — from the soft X-ray and deep-ultraviolet region through the mid-infrared (MIR). That single-source breadth is what earned the company a feature in Photonics Spectra: one manufacturer, one on-site wafer fab, covering detection and emission needs that most suppliers split across several vendors.
A single-source portfolio from UV to mid-IR
Engineers rarely design a system around a single wavelength. A gas analyzer may pair a mid-IR detector with a broadband emitter; an extreme-UV lithography tool may need both dose monitoring and beam diagnostics. Opto Diode’s catalog is organized around two complementary halves — detection and emission — plus an integration path for custom assemblies. The detectors are known for low dark current and low capacitance, which translate into high sensitivity and fast response.
Detectors: soft X-ray, EUV, UV, and infrared
The detection side spans silicon photodiodes tuned for short wavelengths, avalanche photodiodes for the near-infrared telecom band, and lead-salt detectors for the mid-infrared.
| Family | Type | Spectral range | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXUV | Silicon soft X-ray / EUV photodiode | 0.0124–190 nm | Beam and dose monitoring, plasma diagnostics |
| SXUV | Stabilized EUV photodiode | 1–190 nm | EUV lithography, long-term-stable measurement |
| UVG | UV-enhanced silicon photodiode | 190–400 nm | UV metrology, stable responsivity vs. temperature |
| InGaAs APD | Avalanche photodiode | 900–1700 nm | Near-IR, low-light and telecom-band sensing |
| PbS (A-Series) | Lead sulfide IR detector | 1–3.5 µm | Mid-IR gas and flame sensing |
| PbSe (B-Series) | Lead selenide IR detector | 1–5 µm | Emissions monitoring, gas analysis |
Not sure which family fits your measurement? The how to choose a photodetector guide walks through selection by spectral band, while the AXUV vs SXUV and PbS vs PbSe guides compare the closest pairs head to head.
Emitters: visible, near-IR, and thermal mid-IR
On the emission side, Opto Diode builds visible LEDs — including a 469 nm blue and 624–685 nm reds — GaAlAs near-infrared LEDs in the 810–880 nm range, offered in standard and high-power multi-chip packages, and thermal IR emitters (the SA, SHA, SVF, and PIRE PLUS series) that radiate broadband energy well into the mid-infrared. The GaAlAs IR emitter selection guide maps output power and beam pattern to application.
Where these components are used
- Aerospace and defense — mission-critical sensing, covert IR illumination, and MIL-screened detectors.
- Emissions and environmental monitoring — mid-IR gas-absorption measurement with PbS and PbSe detectors.
- Industrial process control — flame, temperature, and gas sensing in harsh environments.
- Medical diagnostics — imaging, pulse oximetry, and analytical instruments.
- Scientific research — synchrotron beamlines, EUV lithography, and plasma diagnostics.
Built and screened in-house
Opto Diode runs on-site wafer fabrication and cleanroom assembly in Camarillo, giving it direct control over the process from bare silicon to finished package. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified and ITAR registered, and it screens qualified devices to MIL-PRF-19500 levels from JANTX through JANS — the pedigree that space, defense, and precision-instrumentation programs require. Standard catalog parts and custom builds come off the same line.
Frequently asked questions
What wavelength range do Opto Diode’s products cover?
On the detection side, from the soft X-ray and extreme-ultraviolet region — AXUV photodiodes respond from about 0.0124 nm — and the ultraviolet (UVG, 190–400 nm) through the near-infrared and into the mid-infrared, where PbSe detectors reach roughly 5 µm. On the emission side, from visible and near-infrared LEDs through thermal emitters that radiate into the mid-infrared.
What makes Opto Diode’s detectors suitable for demanding environments?
On-site wafer fabrication in Camarillo, California, ISO 9001:2015 certification, ITAR registration, and MIL-PRF-19500 screening from JANTX through JANS. The photodiodes are also designed for low dark current and low capacitance, which support high sensitivity and fast response.
Which detectors are best for emissions monitoring and gas analysis?
Lead-salt infrared detectors — PbS (roughly 1–3.5 µm) and PbSe (roughly 1–5 µm) — because many gases have strong absorption bands in the mid-infrared. The PbS vs PbSe selection guide helps match the detector to the target wavelength.
Does Opto Diode offer custom optoelectronic solutions?
Yes. Because fabrication and assembly are in-house, the company supplies both standard catalog products and custom detectors, emitters, and integrated assemblies. Quotes are typically returned within one to two business days.
Explore the full detection and emission lineups, download the product catalog, or send your specification to the engineering team for a quote — usually returned within one to two business days.
Reviewed and updated July 2026.
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