What Phlux Technology does

Phlux Technology Ltd is a UK-based photonics component company founded in 2020 as a spin-out from the University of Sheffield, with headquarters in Sheffield. The company designs, manufactures, and sells Noiseless InGaAs® Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs) at 1550 nm wavelength using a patented antimonide (AlGaAsSb) compound-semiconductor process that achieves up to 12× higher sensitivity and APD gains over 100 without excess-noise degradation, compared with the 10–40 gain ceiling of conventional InGaAs APDs. Its commercial product line consists of the Aura family of APD sensors (80 µm, 200 µm, and 30 µm high-speed variants, available as bare die, SMD, chip-on-sub-mount, and TO-packaged parts), the Apex family of integrated receiver modules pairing Aura detectors with low-noise pre-amplifiers in TO-8 packages, and Aura APD evaluation boards for system prototyping.

Phlux serves OEM manufacturers across laser range finding, automotive and industrial LiDAR, optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR) and fibre sensing, free-space optical satellite communications, and quantum key distribution. The company operates a direct, sales-led B2B go-to-market, selling drop-in replacement parts to engineering and procurement teams at component customers, with samples and quotes handled through its website. Marketing reach is built on technical content (blog posts, application guides, research papers), industry-event presence (SPIE Photonics West, OFC, ECOC, CIOE, LASER World of Photonics, DSEI), EPIC consortium membership, and earned media in photonics trade press. The firm is privately held, having raised a £4M seed round in December 2022 (Octopus Ventures lead) and a £9M Series A in March 2025 (BGF lead with Octopus Ventures, Northern Gritstone, and Foresight Group participating), with the capital earmarked for production ramp, engineering and commercial headcount growth, and launches of new product ranges targeting optical communications and sensing. Quality and qualification credentials include ISO 9001:2015 certification (Oct 2024), MIL-STD-883 design compliance, and Telcordia GR-468 qualification.

Name

Phlux Technology

Legal name

Phlux Technology Ltd

Website

https://phluxtechnology.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Phlux Technology Ltd is a Sheffield-based photonics company that designs and sells patented 1550 nm Noiseless InGaAs avalanche photodiodes and integrated receiver modules for OEM manufacturers of LiDAR, laser rangefinders, OTDR fibre-test equipment, satellite optical communications, and quantum key distribution systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sheffield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Infrared Sensor Hardware Sales: Phlux generates revenue primarily from the sale of its Aura Noiseless InGaAs® APD sensors and Apex integrated receiver modules. Sensors are sold as bare die or in industry-standard surface-mount or wire-ended packages. The company achieved initial sales within a year of seed funding, with production volumes shipping to 15+ customers and strong export demand. A six-figure GBP export contract was secured as an early revenue milestone.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Phlux Technology designs, manufactures, and sells ultra-low-noise Noiseless InGaAs® Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs) and integrated receiver modules operating at 1550 nm wavelength, built on a patented antimony (AlGaAsSb) alloy compound semiconductor process. The Aura product family covers sensors in bare die, surface-mount, chip-on-sub-mount, and TO-46 package variants, while the Apex family integrates these detectors with low-noise pre-amplifier circuits in industry-standard TO-8 packages, delivering up to 12X higher sensitivity than conventional InGaAs APDs for OEM manufacturers serving LiDAR, laser range finder, OTDR fibre test, satellite communications, and quantum key distribution markets.

Product overview

Phlux Technology offers a family of ultra-high sensitivity infrared sensors based on its patented Noiseless InGaAs® APD technology. The core product line consists of the Aura family of avalanche photodiodes (1550 nm wavelength) and the Apex family of integrated receiver modules that combine Aura APDs with optimised pre-amplifier circuits. Aura APDs are available in various configurations including bare die, fiber-pigtailed, surface-mount, and TO-packaged variants. The Apex receiver modules integrate the Aura detectors with pre-amplifier electronics in TO-8 packages for simplified system design. The technology uses antimony alloys in the compound semiconductor process to achieve 12X higher sensitivity and less than one-tenth the noise of conventional InGaAs APDs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aura: Family of ultra-low noise, low dark current, 1550 nm APDs - high-sensitivity devices that can be operated with high gain at high temperature.
• Apex
• Noiseless InGaAs

Products and services

• Aura Noiseless InGaAs® APDs Family of ultra-low-noise, low-dark-current 1550 nm avalanche photodiodes that use antimony (AlGaAsSb) alloy technology to achieve APD gains over 100 without excess noise, delivering up to 12X higher sensitivity than other best-in-class APDs. Available as bare die, fibre pigtails, or in industry-standard surface-mount and wire-ended packages (including TO-46). Qualified to MIL-STD-883 and Telcordia GR-468. Target customers are OEM manufacturers of LiDAR systems, laser range finders, OTDR fibre test equipment, satellite communications terminals, and quantum key distribution systems.
• Apex Receiver Modules Family of integrated receiver modules combining Aura Noiseless InGaAs® APD detectors with optimised low-noise pre-amplifier circuits in industry-standard TO-8 and 12-pin header packages for ultra-low-light detection. Features include NEP of 35 fW/√Hz (200 µm variant), 100 MHz bandwidth, 600 kV/W responsivity at 1550 nm, and an integrated temperature sense diode for thermal compensation. Designed for OEM manufacturers and system integrators building LiDAR, laser range finding, OTDR, and gas-sensing instruments.
• Aura 30 µm High-Speed APD High-speed, high-bandwidth 30 µm optical aperture variant of the Aura Noiseless InGaAs APD family with a 3.5 GHz cut-off frequency, designed for high-speed optical communications and sensing applications requiring wide bandwidth 1550 nm detection.
• Aura APD Evaluation Board Evaluation board designed to simplify infrared system development and enable quick characterisation of Aura Noiseless InGaAs APDs, providing customers and OEM engineers with a reference platform for performance verification during design-in.
• Apex 200 µm Receiver Module (PX02200-TO) 200 µm aperture Apex integrated receiver module (PX02200-TO) combining an Aura APD with an optimised low-noise pre-amplifier in an industry-standard TO-8 package, delivering ultra-low NEP of 35 fW/√Hz and 100 MHz bandwidth for laser range finding, LiDAR, defence and security, distributed temperature sensing, and analytical instrumentation applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 12X higher sensitivity compared to best-in-class conventional InGaAs APDs
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Innovate UK MARCONI Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 October 2024The Innovate UK-funded £1.5M MARCONI project aims to develop high-fidelity, modular, scalable QKD receiver modules using a UK domestic supply chain. The consortium includes Phlux Technology (Noiseless InGaAs APD technology), Bay Photonics (packaging), University of Glasgow (SNSPD), Chase Cryogenics (1K cooling), Redwave Labs (system integration), Fraunhofer CAP (optical receiver modules), and University of Cambridge (QKD demonstration). The QKD market is forecast to reach ~$5B by 2028.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2024ESA funded a €500k project involving Phlux Technology, Airbus Defence and Space, and the University of Sheffield to develop 2.5 Gbps free space optical communications (FSOC) satellite terminals operating at 1550 nm. The medium-term goal is reliable LEO satellite communications; longer-term aim is 10 Gbps links. Phlux's Noiseless InGaAs APDs serve as the IR sensor technology enabling 6 dBm sensitivity improvement over conventional APDs.
• Airbus Defence and SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2024Airbus Defence and Space is a co-partner with Phlux and the University of Sheffield in the ESA-funded FSOC satellite terminal development project. Airbus provides system integration expertise and is evaluating Phlux's APDs as potentially game-changing components for cost-effective laser terminals and optical ground stations.
• Bay PhotonicsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 August 2023Bay Photonics partnered with Phlux and the University of Sheffield in the ASISST Innovate UK project (~£400k) addressing UK semiconductor skills shortages, and separately in the MARCONI QKD project where Bay Photonics handles photonic packaging for Phlux's APD technology.
• University of SheffieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhlux is a spin-out from the University of Sheffield, where its patented APD technology was developed through 8+ years of research. The university continues as a research partner in the ESA FSOC project and the MARCONI project. Key founders Jo Shien Ng (Professor of Semiconductor Devices) and Chee Hing Tan (Head of Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering) remain affiliated with the university.
• University of GlasgowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the MARCONI QKD project consortium, the University of Glasgow's Quantum Sensors group fabricates superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) arrays for quantum communication systems using facilities at the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre.
• Chase CryogenicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the MARCONI QKD project consortium, Chase Cryogenics provides novel 1K cryogenic cooling systems critical for the performance of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors in long-distance QKD applications.
• Redwave LabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the MARCONI QKD project consortium, Redwave Labs serves as system integrator and leads commercialisation efforts for QKD receiver modules, designing control electronics and timetagers optimised for both system types.
• Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the MARCONI QKD project consortium, Fraunhofer CAP provides optical receiver module expertise and acts as a key research institution supporting the UK's photonics industry development.
• University of CambridgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the MARCONI QKD project consortium, the University of Cambridge showcases QKD receivers through the Cambridge Quantum Network and the National Dark Fibre Facility, demonstrating entanglement-based QKD transmission across metro and long-haul networks.
• EPIC (European Photonics Industry Consortium)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhlux joined EPIC in February 2024. EPIC has over 800 member companies and facilitates close cooperation in technical and commercial development for photonics businesses. Membership provides networking with world-leading photonics experts and visibility within the European photonics ecosystem.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Hamamatsu Photonics: Japanese photonics leader manufacturing APDs, Si photodiodes, PMTs, and infrared sensors across similar 1550 nm wavelength ranges. Direct competitor to Phlux in LiDAR, OTDR, and laser rangefinder markets with broader product portfolio, deeper customer relationships, and decades of APD manufacturing experience.
• Excelitas Technologies: US-based photonics company producing APDs, silicon photodiodes, thermal sensors, and infrared detectors for defense, security, industrial, and life science applications. Competes directly with Phlux in laser rangefinding and IR sensing with established OEM relationships and broader product line.
• First Sensor (TE Connectivity): German APD and silicon photodiode manufacturer acquired by TE Connectivity in 2020. Direct competitor in industrial, medical, and automotive sensing with deep German automotive OEM relationships (relevant for LiDAR) and significantly larger manufacturing scale than Phlux.
• OSI Optoelectronics: US-based manufacturer of APDs, silicon photodiodes, and X-ray detectors for industrial, medical, security, and defense markets. Comparable product portfolio to Phlux in infrared detection with longer market track record and established defense customers.
• Laser Components: German photonics components manufacturer and distributor offering APDs, photodiodes, and detectors from multiple suppliers. Competes with Phlux in laser rangefinder, LiDAR, and OTDR markets across European customer base with established distribution relationships.
• Albis Optoelectronics: Swiss APD manufacturer focused on high-speed 10G/25G/40G APDs for telecom and data center applications, now part of Coherent. Direct competitor to Phlux in optical communications APD market with established telecom customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Lumentum: US-based broad photonics incumbent offering lasers, optical components, and 3D sensing solutions. While not primarily an APD competitor, Lumentum operates in adjacent photonics markets including LiDAR and optical communications where Phlux's APDs are deployed.
• Coherent: US-based global photonics giant (formerly II-VI) with broad portfolio across materials, lasers, and optical components. Acquired Albis Optoelectronics (APD maker), giving it direct APD capability competing with Phlux in optical communications markets.
• Thorlabs: US-based broad photonics components and instruments supplier. While not a direct APD competitor at the component level, Thorlabs offers photodetectors across wavelength ranges and serves overlapping research and OEM customer base in photonics R&D applications.

Others

• ID Quantique: Swiss-based QKD system integrator and photonics company using APDs from third-party suppliers in their quantum communication products. Not a direct competitor to Phlux but a potential customer and ecosystem participant in the QKD market alongside Phlux's MARCONI consortium positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/phluxtechnology

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Phlux Technology