VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 3, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX-V:ZMS) (Frankfurt:W1I) today announced that it has initiated delivery of its most advanced Micro-pixel Avalanche Photo Diodes (MAPD) solid-state photo detectors to research centers and key customers in both medical imaging and high-energy physics for immediate use. The proprietary MAPD-3N is the production based design upgrade of the previously announced MAPD. It also offers significant performance advantages over competing photomultiplier tubes (PMT) and the device is more compact and cheaper to manufacture.
"Our enhancements that led to the new MAPD-3N feature much better photon detection efficiency, energy and timing resolutions and working gain when compared to its MAPD predecessors and existing ubiquitous photomultiplier tubes," said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairman, President, and CEO of Zecotek. "Tighter energy and timing resolution are crucial parameters for PET (positron emission tomography) scanners and high energy physics applications. Furthermore, extremely low-light applications which require single photon detection will benefit from the reduction of dark count rates. Customers of our earlier version MAPD solid-state photo detectors have been impressed with the performance and cost advantage offered. This latest version, MAPD-3N, has created positive excitement in the imaging community and we are preparing to commence manufacture in the first quarter of 2009, as planned."
Zecotek's MAPD features the highest linearity and dynamic response as compared to existing PMTs for the targeted industries. The MAPD-3N comes in layouts with micro-pixel density up to 15,000 per mm2 and low operating voltage of less than 90 volts. The improvement in photon detection efficiency and working gain by a factor of 2, and the reduction of dark count rates by almost a factor of two, make the universal adoption of solid-state detection technology in advanced, high-resolution PET medical scanners and gamma camera applications, a reality, particularly when the MAPD-3Ns are matched with Zecotek's patented LFS scintillation materials. Zecotek's pioneering MAPD technology can be used to manufacture two-dimensional arrays of solid-state photo detectors, another significant advancement, which allows for the manufacture and implementation of both very large-area detectors and compact position-sensitive arrays, which will likely displace expensive and bulky position-sensitive PMTs.
The MAPD-3N is supplied through Zecotek Imaging Systems Pte. Ltd., Singapore, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zecotek Photonics Inc., and manufactured under contract with the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems and Omega Semiconductor Sdn Bhd.
About Zecotek
Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX-V:ZMS) (Frankfurt:W1I) is a photonics technology company developing high-performance crystals, photo detectors, lasers, optical imaging and 3D display technologies for commercial applications in the medical diagnostics and high-tech industries. Founded in 2003, the company operates three distinct divisions: imaging, lasers and 3D display, with labs located in Canada, USA, Singapore and Russia. Zecotek commercializes its novel, patented and patent-pending photonic technologies directly and through strategic alliances and joint ventures with multinational OEMs, distributors and other industry leaders. For more information, please visit www.zecotek.com.
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