VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 16, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX-V:ZMS) (Frankfurt:W1I) is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed pre-production testing of a new, proprietary array of Micro-pixel Avalanche Photodiodes (MAPD). The MAPD Array integrates Zecotek's patented MAPD technologies and will be initially produced in an 8 by 8 format, with 64 individual MAPDs each measuring 3mm by 3mm, and scalable to larger dimensions. First run production has been slated for evaluation by select industry partners.
"Our 64 chip MAPD Array has been specifically designed for use with our LFS scintillation crystals in medical scanning applications," said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairman, President, and CEO of Zecotek Photonics Inc. "Their unique performance and design attributes provide a significant opportunity for new detection configurations which allow for higher resolution, more conclusive medical interpretation of data and images, and new applications in Positron Emission Tomography. In addition, the Array has a wide range of applications in high-energy physics, security and other imaging industries. We are delighted with the strong interest and support we are receiving from key industry players."
Zecotek's proprietary and patented MAPDs have been designed in several configurations to offer significant cost and performance advantages over existing vacuum tube based photo multiplier tubes (PMT) and other solid-state photodiodes. A key advantage of the MAPD Array is the ability to provide uniform quantum efficiency and high gain across the entire array, using a single supply voltage. This vastly simplifies signal read-out and processing of data, particularly important features for applications in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) based medical diagnosis and in high-energy physics. The MAPD Array integrates Zecotek's patented MAPD which meets and exceeds required specifications for advanced, high resolution PET scanners, particularly when matched with Zecotek's patented LFS scintillation materials. Photo detectors, together with the scintillation material, typically constitute 50 to 65% of the manufacturing cost of a PET scanner.
Existing photo multiplier tubes markets where Zecotek's MAPDs offer both cost and performance advantages include medical inspection devices used in blood analysis and DNA sequencing, gamma ray detectors for homeland security, environmental monitoring, industrial control systems, robotics, biomedical testing, navigation and guidance systems, laser radars and high-energy physics.
Zecotek's MAPD solid-state photo detectors and photo detector arrays are supplied through its wholly owned subsidiary Zecotek Imaging Systems Pte. Ltd., Singapore, and manufactured under contract by the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems.
About Zecotek
Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX-V:ZMS) (Frankfurt:W1I) is a photonics technology company developing leading-edge products: crystals, photo detectors, lasers, imaging and 3D display technologies, for medical, biotech, industrial, nanotech and atomic/molecular science applications. Founded in 2003, the company has three distinct operating divisions: Laser Systems, Imaging Systems and 3D Display Systems and labs located in Canada, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia 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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