Customized solutions

Since 2003 we have been producing SiC UV photodiodes based on CREE chips. From 2009 these chips originate from our own semiconductor production (gas-phase epitaxy). In 2022, we started producing SiC chips using an ion implantation process. These chips still have good sensitivity below 200nm and can therefore be used for measurements at e.g. 185nm or 172nm. SiC is known to be exceptionally radiation hard and temperature resistant. Furthermore, it has excellent insensitivity to visible light and IR radiation. These chips are refined to perfection by our extensive know-how in the field of packaging technology and the development of optical filters. A strong team stands behind the quality of the more than 100 different UV photodiodes always in stock and inspires our customers with effective and targeted implementation of customized special setups, e.g. for the monitoring of UVC LEDs as used in air and water disinfection or in the design, testing and series production of multispectral photodiodes, e.g. UV & IR.

TOCONs are SiC photodiodes in TO5 package with integrated transimpedance amplifier, which converts the photocurrent into a 0…5V measuring voltage. A TOCON is high-tech on smallest space, well protected by a solid metal housing. The TOCONs produced since 2008 are standardly produced in currently 55 variants, which are all in stock in at least medium quantities at any time. Depending on the variant, the components must be able to detect UV radiation in the range of 13 orders of magnitude – from a few pW/cm2 for UVC fire detection to several tens of W/cm2 for UV curing processes. In some cases, they must be able to reliably withstand high temperatures and vibrations. Behind the TOCONs is a team of electronic and optical engineers who maintain and continuously improve the series. We regularly carry out special adaptations for our customers. These can be, for example, non-saturating TOCONs with a logarithmic gain curve or TOCONs specially designed for fire detection in vehicle engines (adaptation of the dynamic behavior), which can be used up to 120°C. An important current application-specific modification are also special TOCONs for flame monitoring in novel hydrogen home heaters.

Our UV measuring probes mostly consist of a robust metal body with radiation input and signal output. The core task of an sglux measuring probe is absolute reliability and reproducible measured values over many years – in adverse environmental conditions such as strong temperature fluctuations, high water pressure or extreme UV radiation, often in combination.
Each of these probes contains a SiC photodiode as well as optical and electronic components. Within a few days, we can assemble more than 400 different probe variants – adapted to the respective application – from components that are always in stock. Our engineers have master simple analog circuits as well as complex setups with integrated microprocessors.
Even if the 400 different standard variants can cover a large part of the applications in industry and research, our customers are regularly pleased with our solution expertise for products specially adapted to the environmental conditions, such as a probe that controls a UV curing process while being exposed to contamination by dusts and vapors in addition to very high temperatures. We solved this problem with a pneumatic purging and cooling system, which sets the window glass in permanent vibration to prevent deposits.

Based on a sglux sensor, our UV radiometers serve as a reference in industry and research. “Measure-Understand-Evaluate” is our motto for our instruments whose software and display logic are adapted to the specific customer requirements by our IT engineers. This flexible and rapid response to the specific application is our unique selling point in the market of UV measuring instruments.
A practical example is the risk assessment at the workplace due to UVC radiation. Our “Safester UVC” not only provides the measured value in numbers, but the measured value is also converted by means of a special algorithm taken from a standard into clear recommendations for action or hazard information (e.g. intuitively understandable pictograms or graphics), which can also be easily understood and followed by untrained personnel. To equip the UV-Index measuring network of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), we produce low- maintenance autonomous UV index measuring stations, which send the measured values to a central server via the mobile network. The power supply is provided by solar cells. We are currently carrying out scientific work in the field of UV measuring equipment in cooperation with the Federal Institute for Materials Research (BAM). This involves the development of a UV sensor-based module for detecting organic compounds on the basis of their ozone-excited UV emission.

Throughout the period from 2008 to 2018, we were allowed to learn our craft thoroughly in several governmental funded projects by the Physikalisch-Technische-Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig (PTB), Department 4.11 Spectroradiometry. Together with the PTB, for example, the world’s first calibration standard for strong UV radiation was created, which now sets standards at the PTB, at the Technology Center for Water in the DVGW (TZW) and at sglux and serves as an international reference for strong UV radiation. For our head of calibration laboratory, in principle every calibration order is a customized project – with its individual challenges, which we are very happy to meet in the service of our customers. In the course of this work, our laboratory is constantly being expanded and improved, so that almost all the different UV radiation sources and processes required for calibration work are now established in-house.