What Albis Optoelectronics does

Albis Optoelectronics AG is a privately held Swiss designer, developer, and manufacturer of high-speed photodiode chips headquartered in Rueschlikon, Switzerland. The company produces Indium Phosphide (InP) and Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) based p-i-n photodiodes, avalanche photodiodes (APDs), and high-speed detector modules spanning data rates from 1 Gb/s to 112+ Gbaud with bandwidths up to 60 GHz. Its product catalog covers bare die, array, TO-header, ROSA, and battery-powered packaged modules, and includes custom design and fab services for external customers. All manufacturing is performed in-house at company-owned cleanroom facilities (including a 2,000 sq ft class 100 cleanroom) with photolithography, metal deposition, etching, assembly, packaging, and reliability test labs on site. Products are qualified to Telcordia GR-468 and MIL-STD-883E standards, with over 120 billion normalized device hours of accumulated reliability testing.

The company sells to optical communications OEMs serving datacom and telecom networks, as well as to specialist applications in monitoring and sensing, long-wavelength LiDAR, quantum computing, microwave photonics, and space/satellite communications. Go-to-market combines direct sales from Switzerland for Europe and the United States with a network of regional channel representatives in China (Bonphot Optoelectronics, Univa Technologies, InnovSemi, ETSC Technologies), Japan (Hikari Inc.), and Korea (EnerTeks Co. Ltd.). Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of photodiode chips and modules, supplemented by custom wafer processing, cleanroom, and device testing services.

Albis has participated in multiple EU and ESA-funded research consortia, including SIPhoDiAS, BAROC, APPLAUSE, ARCTIC, Move2THz, RETINA, and LIMA, positioning its roadmap at the intersection of next-generation 800G/1.6T optical links, cryogenic photodiodes for quantum systems, and space-grade optical receivers. The firm traces its technology heritage to ETH Zurich's Institute of Quantum Electronics in the mid-1980s, was founded as Albis Optoelectronics AG in August 2003, operated as a subsidiary of Enablence Technologies from 2007 to 2012, and regained independence through a management buyout in December 2012.

Name

Albis Optoelectronics

Legal name

Albis Optoelectronics AG

Website

https://albisopto.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Albis Optoelectronics is a Swiss designer and manufacturer of high-speed InP and GaAs photodiodes, avalanche photodiodes, and detector modules (up to 60 GHz), serving optical communications, sensing, LiDAR, quantum, microwave photonics, and space-grade OEMs globally with in-house fab services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optoelectronic Components

NAICS

Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413), Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441)

SIC

Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674)

akta.pro primary industry

Optoelectronic Receivers & Transceivers (Photodetectors/Optical Modules) (HDAHALAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs) (HDAHAAAH)

Keywords

• High-speed photodiodes
• Avalanche photodiode chips
• Optical detector modules
• Indium phosphide semiconductors
• Fiber optic components

Headquarters

HQ city

Ruschlikon

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Photodiode Chips and Modules Sales: Albis generates revenue through the sale of high-speed photodiode chips (bare die), detector modules, and packaged photodiodes. Products include InP and GaAs based PIN photodiodes, APDs, and high-speed detector modules. Manufacturing is entirely in-house at company-owned cleanroom facilities.
2. Custom Fabrication Services: Provides custom wafer processing, cleanroom services (photolithography, metal deposition, etching, lapping, AR coating), dicing and sawing, assembly and packaging, and device testing and characterization services to external customers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Albis Optoelectronics designs, develops and manufactures high-speed photodiode chips and detector modules based on Indium Phosphide (InP) and Gallium Arsenide (GaAs). The product portfolio includes InGaAs p-i-n photodiodes, Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs), GaAs p-i-n photodiodes, high-power photodiodes, and packaged detector modules supporting data rates from 1 Gb/s to 200G and bandwidths up to 60 GHz. All manufacturing is performed in-house at company-owned cleanroom facilities in Rueschlikon, Switzerland, with custom design and fab services offered to external customers.

Product overview

Albis Optoelectronics is a designer, developer, and manufacturer of high-speed photodiodes offering a diversified product portfolio consisting of InP and GaAs-based PIN photodiodes, Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs), and high-speed detector modules. The product line spans from bare die chips to packaged modules, with InGaAs p-i-n photodiodes covering speeds from 1 Gb/s to 200G, APDs at 2.5/10/25/28 Gbaud speeds, GaAs p-i-n photodiodes for short wavelengths (830-860nm) up to 25 Gb/s, and PM/PQ/PX Series packaged modules ranging from 10 GHz to 40 GHz. The portfolio includes monitoring and sensing photodiodes with position sensing capabilities, high-power photodiodes for microwave photonics, and APD ROSA modules with integrated TIA options. All products can be customized through custom design services, and the company offers comprehensive fab services including wafer processing, assembly, and testing. Products are manufactured in-house at their Rueschlikon facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• InGaAs p-i-n Photodiodes InP-based long-wavelength photodiodes optimized for telecom networks, covering speeds from 1 Gb/s to 200G with single and array bare die configurations, targeted at optical communications equipment manufacturers.
• Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs) InGaAs-based APDs with internal gain mechanism providing superior receiver sensitivity compared to pin photodiodes, available in 2.5 Gb/s, 10 Gb/s, 25 Gb/s, and 28 Gbaud speeds for fiber optic receiver modules.
• GaAs p-i-n Photodiodes Short-wavelength photodiodes for multi-mode fiber datacom and telecom networks, covering speeds from 1 Gb/s to 25 Gb/s at wavelengths 830-860nm.
• PM Series Photodiode Modules Self-contained, battery-powered photodiode modules with LiPo battery and USB-C charging for direct optical-to-electrical conversion of RF-modulated optical signals. Bandwidths from 10 GHz to 40 GHz, wavelengths 800-1620nm.
• PQ Series Packaged Photodiodes Small, rugged, hermetic photodiode packages including PQW and PQS variants with internal bias-tee for RF signal output, suitable for severe environmental conditions including space applications.
• PX Series TO-Header Photodiodes High-performance photodiode chips packaged on TO headers, including receiver modules with various wavelength and diameter options for general-purpose OEM use.
• APD ROSA (Receiver Optical Subassemblies) Avalanche photodiode ROSA modules with integrated TIA options including linear, burst-mode, and limiting amplifier types for 28 Gbd applications.
• Monitoring and Sensing Photodiodes Single-channel and array photodiodes for laser monitoring, position sensing, and beam profiling, including four-quadrant position sensing devices and large-area detectors.
• High Power Photodiodes High power, high linearity microwave photodetectors for analog optical links, microwave photonics, and radio-over-fiber applications. Includes HPS20Y1 with 20 GHz bandwidth, 50 mA photocurrent, 0.5 A/W responsivity, and +30 dBm OIP3.
• Custom Design Services Custom photodiode chip design and fabrication services including geometrical design, light entry configuration, AR coating/optical filters, pad topology, and customizable channel pitch for linear or 2D arrays.
• Fab Services Full-service wafer manufacturing including custom wafer processing, cleanroom services (photolithography, metal deposition, etching, lapping, AR coating), dicing and sawing, assembly/packaging, and comprehensive device testing and characterization.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 120 billion normalized device hours of reliability testing accumulated
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• LIMA Project (ESA ScyLight)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2025ESA ScyLight project developing low-noise Avalanche Photodiodes for optical/quantum communications at 1550nm. Started March 2025, aims to design 2.5 Gbps APD receiver with fivefold sensitivity improvement. Also developing APD chips with bandwidths up to 1 GHz.
• Move2THz Consortium (27 members led by Soitec)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024European research consortium developing future generation of high-frequency semiconductors based on Indium Phosphide (InP). Albis contributes with development of complex, multi-channel broadband 65 GHz RoF module for next generation ultra high-speed receivers. Project addresses AI mega data centers and 6G mobile communications.
• ARCTIC Consortium (36 partners led by IMEC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Chips Joint Undertaking project for Advanced Research on Cryogenic Technologies for Innovative Computing. Albis contributes with development of high-power, high linearity fiber-coupled photodiodes capable of operating at cryogenic temperatures for ultra-low phase noise microwave generation in quantum computing applications.
• RETINA Project (ESA ScyLight)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2023ESA ScyLight project for Four-quadrant InGaAs avalanche photodiodes for LEO direct-to-Earth optical ground station. Combines data receiver and optical beam tracker functions in a single detector for high-speed free-space optical communications.
• HiLight SemiconductorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Albis and HiLight Semiconductor jointly demonstrated a high performance, cost-effective 10G-PON receiver solution combining Albis' APD10F1 avalanche photodiode chips with HiLight's SLR10G2 CMOS TIA-receiver. The combination achieves world-class sensitivity levels and simplifies FTTx receiver design while reducing BOM costs.
• BAROC Consortium (Albis, Thales Alenia Space)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2022ESA ARTES project for Bandpass RF O/E Converter. Development of packaged RF photodetector with integrated MMIC for broadband matching from 0 to 40 GHz. Target applications include RF photonic payloads for VHTS satellite telecommunications and ground-based RF over fiber.
• EPIC - European Photonics Industry ConsortiumminorOthers · 10 January 2022EPIC is the world leading photonics industry association. Albis Optoelectronics joined as a member to benefit from industry networking and collaborative opportunities within the photonics ecosystem.
• APPLAUSE Consortium (31 partners including ICOS/KLA, ams AG, EV Group, IMEC, Fraunhofer)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2019Albis participates in the APPLAUSE ECSEL Joint Undertaking project focused on advanced packaging for photonics, optics and electronics for low cost manufacturing in Europe. The 34M€ three-year project is co-funded by Horizon 2020. Expected project impacts include revenue increase exceeding 300M€ by 2025 for partners.
• IntelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2009Albis was selected to supply photodiodes for Intel's Light Peak 10 Gb/s optical interconnect technology for personal computers. Intel unveiled Light Peak at their Developer Forum as a next-generation optical connection technology using Albis' large area dual wavelength 10Gb/s photodiodes.
• SIPhoDiAS Consortium (ALBIS, ALTER Technology, IHP, LEO Space Photonics, Thales Alenia Space)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace-grade Opto-electronic Interfaces for Photonic Digital and Analogue Very-high-throughput Satellite payloads (SIPhoDiAS). A 3-year EC-funded H2020-SPACE project focusing on development of space-grade O/E modules for next generation telecom satellites.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• First Sensor (TE Connectivity): German-based manufacturer of InP and silicon photodiodes, APDs, and position-sensitive detectors now part of TE Connectivity. Directly comparable to Albis in photodiode product breadth across telecom, industrial, and medical sensing markets.
• Hamamatsu Photonics: Japan-based global leader in photodetectors including Si, InGaAs, and APDs for telecom, LiDAR, quantum, and scientific applications. Highly comparable to Albis in photodiode technology, product portfolio (APDs, PINs, modules), and target customers across datacom, sensing, and analytical instrumentation.
• OSI Optoelectronics (OSI Systems): US-based designer and manufacturer of silicon, InGaAs, and Ge photodetectors, APDs, and position-sensitive detectors for medical, security, industrial, and aerospace markets. Closely comparable product line and customer mix to Albis, particularly in custom and specialty detector modules.
• Excelitas Technologies: Specialized photonics components manufacturer offering APDs, PIN photodiodes, and silicon photomultipliers for LiDAR, quantum, biomedical, and industrial sensing. Closely comparable product portfolio and customer mix, particularly in APDs for LiDAR and sensing applications.

Broad incumbents

• Lumentum: Large US-based optical components and laser manufacturer serving datacom/telecom transceivers and 3D sensing. Overlaps with Albis in high-speed photodiodes used inside optical transceivers, though Lumentum is a broad incumbent with a much larger portfolio including lasers and ROADMs.
• Coherent Corp (formerly II-VI Incorporated): Major diversified photonics and compound semiconductor manufacturer offering InP-based photodetectors and integrated optical components for datacom, telecom, and sensing. Competes with Albis in high-speed transceivers and shares similar InP/GaAs material expertise, though at much larger scale.
• Broadcom: Global semiconductor incumbent supplying optical components including high-speed photodiodes and transceivers for datacom and telecom OEMs. Overlaps with Albis in photodiode supply to transceiver customers, but operates at vastly larger scale across many semiconductor categories.
• Teledyne Technologies: Diversified instrumentation and digital imaging conglomerate that includes Teledyne Judson Technologies, a supplier of InGaAs APDs and PIN photodiodes for defense, space, and telecom. Comparable to Albis in space-grade and defense-qualified photodetector offerings, but part of a much broader portfolio.
• Mitsubishi Electric: Japanese conglomerate with a semiconductor division that produces optical devices including photodiodes and APDs for telecom, FTTH, and industrial sensing. Comparable in InP-based photodiode technology, though Mitsubishi operates at scale across many electronics categories.

Emerging players

• Laser Components: European distributor and manufacturer of photodetectors, APDs, and optical components for industrial, medical, and research applications. Overlaps with Albis in custom photodiode supply and European customer base, though more focused on distribution and custom-engineered detection solutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/albis-optoelectronics-ag

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Albis Optoelectronics