Photek

Name

Photek

Legal name

Photek Ltd

Website

https://photek.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Photon and Particle Detectors

NAICS

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing (334517)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Radiation Detection Instruments & Systems (Portal monitors, spectrometers, contamination monitors) (EUAKAIAK)

Keywords

• Photon detection systems
• Image intensifiers
• Photomultiplier tubes
• Neutron imaging cameras
• Vacuum tube detectors

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Leonards

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Specialist Scientific Detector Hardware Sales: Photek generates revenue primarily through the sale of vacuum-based photon and particle detection hardware including image intensifiers, MCP detectors, photomultiplier tubes, streak tubes, and neutron cameras. These are one-time hardware sales of high-value, specialist scientific instruments with long sales cycles (3–6 months for standard products; 1–3 years for space missions). The company also offers bespoke/custom solutions alongside standard product ranges.
2. Custom Engineering and Bespoke Solutions: Photek collaborates with customers to design and manufacture complete bespoke solutions tailored to specific application requirements. This includes custom ion optics design, flange and detector sizing, and specialized configurations. The company works with specialist engineers and scientists throughout the specification, development, and manufacturing process.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Photek is a specialist manufacturer and global supplier of vacuum-based tubes and camera systems for charged particle detection and imaging, including photons, electrons, and neutrons. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of detectors (image intensifiers, MCP detectors, photomultiplier tubes, streak tubes), cameras and photon counting systems (AuraTek, HRPCS, IPD6, MCP imaging cameras, iCMOS 160, N-Cam neutron camera, Velocitas VMI), and supporting electronics and accessories (high voltage power supplies, gating modules, preamplifiers, cooling, light boxes). Photek also designs and manufactures fully bespoke detector solutions tailored to individual customer specifications for physics, space science, defense, microscopy, chemistry, and industrial applications.

Product overview

Photek is a specialist manufacturer and global supplier of vacuum-based tubes and camera systems for charged particle detection and imaging (photon, electron, and neutron). The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products organized into three main categories: Detectors (Image Intensifiers, MCP Detectors, Photomultiplier Tubes, Streak Tubes, Ion/Electron Detectors), Cameras + Systems (AuraTek, HRPCS, IPD6 photon counting systems, MCP Imaging Cameras, iCMOS 160 high speed camera, ILCI, N-Cam neutron camera, Velocitas VMI), and Electronics + Accessories (High Voltage Power Supplies, Pulsers/Gating Modules, Preamplifiers, Detector Cooling, Dark Box, Light Box, Temperature Control). The company excels in large area image intensifiers, ultra-fast photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), UV detectors, and advanced photon counting camera systems. Photek collaborates with customers to create bespoke solutions, serving applications in physics, defense, physical chemistry, bioluminescence, space science, and material and biological inspection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Image Intensifier Fast gating, high gain light amplification device that amplifies low light levels for applications such as astronomy, high speed imaging, photon counting, and fluorescence lifetime measurement.
• Image Diode Generation I image intensifier known for high resolution and excellent dynamic range, achieving >10x light gain via high-voltage electric field. Often paired with other intensifiers or used to convert UV/IR to visible light.
• MCP Detector (XUV/Soft X-ray) Open-faced microchannel plate detector for detection of vacuum ultraviolet and soft X-ray wavelengths in vacuum environments.
• MCP Imaging Detector (XUV/Soft X-ray) Open-faced MCP imaging detector for imaging of vacuum ultraviolet and soft X-ray wavelengths in vacuum environments.
• Single Anode PMT Ultra fast, microchannel plate photomultiplier tube for analysis of ultra fast optical phenomena in applications such as LiDAR and nuclear physics.
• Multi-Anode PMT Ultra fast, spatially segmented microchannel plate photomultiplier providing the world's fastest MAPMTs with 16x16 array configurations.
• Photo Diode Vacuum-based photodiode for detecting a wide range of ultra fast events with wide dynamic range.
• Streak Tube Ultra fast measurement of light intensity variation over time, ideal for streak and high repetition rate framing cameras with proven performance and reliability.
• MCP Detector (Ion/Electron) Open-faced MCP detector for charged particle detection in vacuum environments suitable for charged particle vacuum detection experiments.
• MCP Imaging Detector (Ion/Electron) Open-faced MCP imaging detector for charged particle imaging in vacuum. Features fast gating options for ION slicing with MCP gating down to 8 ns and a range of phosphors available.
• AuraTek Photon Counting System Innovative photon counting system with 256 channels combining a Multi-Anode MCP-PMT with high performance readout electronics for superior timing. Integrated with PETsys Electronics TOFPET2d ASIC achieving 60 ps RMS single photon timestamping.
• HRPCS Photon Counting System Noiseless single photon counting system with parallel readout for ultra low light imaging, capable of detecting individual photon events simultaneously.
• IPD6 Photon Counting System Single photon counting system providing simultaneous position and timing data, suitable for continuous imaging of processes with very low light levels over wide fields.
• MCP Imaging Camera (XUV/Soft X-ray) Imaging system for XUV/Soft X-rays in vacuum using an open-faced MCP detector coupled to a high-performance camera.
• MCP Imaging Camera (Ion/Electron) Imaging system for charged particles in vacuum consisting of open-faced MCP detector coupled to high-performance camera. Includes VID225 (25mm), VID240 (40mm), VID275 (75mm) systems with optional 10ns gating and Time-of-Flight modules.
• iCMOS 160 Intensified CMOS Camera 160 fps intensified CMOS camera for high speed imaging applications with ultra-fast 3 ns gating capabilities for time resolved applications including plasma physics, fluorescence lifetime imaging, and combustion diagnostics.
• ILCI Intensified Camera Attachment Intensified camera attachment with touchscreen designed to easily adapt to any camera for low light intensified imaging or detection of single photon events.
• N-Cam Neutron Camera High resolution, high sensitivity Intensified Gadox sCMOS neutron camera capable of fast radiography/tomography, dynamic imaging, energy-specific imaging, and single neutron counting. Achieves >10 lp/mm resolution over 75mm Field of View.
• Velocitas VMI System Complete spectrometer solution for velocity map imaging, tailored to research laboratory and housed in a bespoke, differentially pumped vacuum chamber. Developed in collaboration with Amsterdam Scientific Instruments as the Velocitas + Hyperion solution.

Quantifiable outcome

• 256-channel photon counting with 60 ps RMS single photon timing resolution, 480 KHz per channel photon rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability3 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Amsterdam Scientific Instruments (ASI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2024Photek and Amsterdam Scientific Instruments announced a collaboration on a groundbreaking VMI (Velocity Map Imaging) solution called 'Velocitas + Hyperion', designed to revolutionize research in atomic and molecular imaging for molecular dissociation, fragmentation, small components, and single atom studies.
• University of LeicestercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 January 2022Collaborative research partnership with the University of Leicester, funded by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, to develop a new generation single photon imaging detector. The project aims to improve spatial resolution and image refresh rates for quantum imaging applications in microscopy. Amelia Markfort serves as KTP Research Associate. Work also includes machine learning solutions for high-speed data analysis.
• PETsys ElectronicscoreTechnology or Integration · 31 August 2021Photek partnered with PETsys Electronics to integrate their custom timing TOFPET2d ASIC with Photek's ultrafast AuraTek Microchannel Plate based multi-anode detectors. The integrated solution delivers 256-channel readout (16×16 pixel), 60 ps RMS single photon timing, 30 ps TDC bins, and 480 KHz per channel maximum photon rate. Applications include Microscopy, LIDAR, Quantum Information Systems, and Particle Physics. The system launched in January 2022.
• European Space Agency (ESA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotek is a key contributor to ESA's SMILE (Solar-wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) mission — a joint collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Photek supplies the MCP118 image intensifier for the Ultraviolet Imager (UVI), providing far-UV sensitivity to capture aurora imaging and solar wind interaction with Earth's magnetosphere. Launch scheduled May 19, 2026 aboard a Vega-C rocket from French Guiana.
• Chinese Academy of SciencesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint partner with ESA on the SMILE space mission. The National Space Science Centre (NSSC) of CAS collaborates with ESA on the SMILE mission, with Photek providing key ultraviolet imaging technology.
• Sydor TechnologiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSydor Technologies continues to represent Photek products in diagnostic solutions for key DOE NNSA customers including Los Alamos National Laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, and Mission Support and Test Services. Sydor is a long-standing US channel partner for Photek's scientific detector products.
• XCAM Scientific LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerXCAM Scientific Ltd, a world-class developer of complete camera systems with expertise in vacuum-compatible applications and large-area multi-detector solutions, was acquired by Tibidabo Scientific Industries (Photek's parent company) in December 2025. XCAM brings demonstrated history in space-qualified camera systems for missions including NASA's OGRE, UCAR's WindCube CubeSat, ESA's Particle Fallout Monitor for Ariane 6, and ISRO's AlSat Nano. The acquisition reinforces Tibidabo's space and scientific imaging capabilities.
• LLA InstrumentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLLA Instruments, specializing in detection and identification of materials, was acquired by Tibidabo Scientific Industries in November 2023. This acquisition further expanded Tibidabo's portfolio in the detection and imaging space, complementing Photek's detector technology.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Excelitas Technologies: Producer of photonic detection, illumination, and imaging technologies including PMTs, APDs, and low-light cameras. Direct competition with Photek in PMT and single-photon detection markets, particularly in life science and analytical instrumentation.
• Thorlabs: Broad-line photonics and optics manufacturer supplying PMTs, photodiodes, cameras, and OEM detector components. Competes with Photek in selected PMT and intensified camera categories across research and OEM customers, with much greater scale and product breadth.
• Hamamatsu Photonics: Global leader in photon detection (PMTs, MCP-PMTs, image intensifiers, Si photodiodes) serving scientific, medical, and industrial markets. Direct overlap with Photek's PMT, MAPMT, and photon counting product lines, but with a vastly broader portfolio and far larger scale.
• Teledyne Princeton Instruments: Manufacturer of scientific cameras, spectrographs, and detectors for research applications including spectroscopy and low-light imaging. Overlaps with Photek's iCMOS and intensified camera product lines and shares a common customer base in physics and life sciences.

Direct peers

• Sydor Technologies: U.S. provider of scientific detector and diagnostic solutions, including long-standing representation of Photek products at DOE NNSA national labs. Overlap in fast photodetection and X-ray/neutron imaging for fusion and stockpile stewardship programs.
• XCAM Scientific: UK developer of EMCCD and vacuum-compatible scientific camera systems for space and physics applications. Acquired by Tibidabo Scientific Industries (Photek's parent) in Dec 2025, making it a sister-company peer with deep overlap in space imaging customers.
• Photonis (Exosens): Specialist manufacturer of MCPs, image intensifiers, PMTs, and neutron/gamma detectors for nuclear, defense, and scientific applications. Closest direct competitor to Photek in vacuum-based photon/particle detection, with comparable performance targets and customer base in physics and defense.
• CAEN S.p.A. Designer and manufacturer of electronic instrumentation for nuclear and particle physics, including photon counting electronics and detector readout systems. Comparable customer base (CERN, INFN, physics research labs) and adjacent product line in photon detection electronics.

Emerging players

• PETsys Electronics: Portuguese developer of TOFPET ASICs and readout electronics for PET medical imaging and photon counting. Strategic technology partner of Photek via the TOFPET2d ASIC integration; partial product overlap in 256-channel photon counting systems.
• Amsterdam Scientific Instruments: Developer of Velocity Map Imaging (VMI) and direct electron detection systems, partnered with Photek on the Velocitas + Hyperion VMI solution. Closely comparable technology base in scientific photon/electron imaging with overlapping customer base in chemistry and atomic/molecular physics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Photek_Ltd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/photek-ltd

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Photek