Photonic Science
Photonic Science is a UK-based manufacturer of high-performance scientific cameras and detector systems spanning X-ray, visible, SWIR, and neutron detection. The company serves over 100 research institutes and OEM customers across industrial, surveillance, scientific, and life science markets, operating as a subsidiary of Tibidabo Scientific Industries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersSaint Anne's On Sea, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Photonic Science does
Photonic Science and Engineering Limited (PSEL) is a UK-based manufacturer of high-performance digital cameras and detector systems serving scientific research, industrial inspection, defense/surveillance, and life science markets. The company produces cameras and detectors spanning four spectral regimes — X-ray (1.4MP to 64MP sCMOS detectors covering 1-300 keV), SWIR/InGaAs (900-1700nm with sub-electron read noise), visible/sCMOS (4MP to 16MP, GigE Vision compliant), and intensified CCD/CMOS (3ns gating for low-light) — plus Laue crystal orientation systems with 0.1 degree accuracy. Core differentiating technologies include fibre optic coupling with custom scintillator deposition (Gadox:Tb and CsI), cooled InGaAs focal plane arrays, and proprietary crystal orientation software.
The company operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct enterprise sales with a regional distributor network covering Brazil, France, China, India, Japan, Poland, and South Korea, plus a US distributor (Tibidabo Scientific Industries USA). Revenue is generated through hardware sales of standard products and custom OEM integration solutions, supplemented by professional services (installation, training, application support). Pricing is quotation-based with multi-year contract structures and is not publicly disclosed. Photonic Science maintains ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001 certifications and reports serving over 100 international research institutes, including synchrotron facilities worldwide.
Photonic Science is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tibidabo Scientific Industries, a diversified conglomerate with sister companies including Photek, Scintacor, Lambert Instruments, Precision X-Ray, LLA Instruments, and the recently acquired XCAM Scientific (December 2025). The company was re-established in October 2018 after the liquidation of the original Photonic Science Limited, rehiring the entire R&D team and operating from a 1,000 square metre facility in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, with approximately 30 employees. The Tibidabo parent group enables cross-company capabilities in defence, aerospace, and scientific markets, with shared leadership now consolidated under Andre Goodson as Managing Director of both Photonic Science and Photek.
Photonic Science firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Photonic Science
- Legal name
- Photonic Science and Engineering Limited
- Website
- https://photonicscience.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Photonic Science is a UK-based manufacturer of high-performance scientific cameras and detector systems spanning X-ray, visible, SWIR, and neutron detection. The company serves over 100 research institutes and OEM customers across industrial, surveillance, scientific, and life science markets, operating as a subsidiary of Tibidabo Scientific Industries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Photonic Science industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Scientific Imaging Cameras and Detectors
- NAICS
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing (334517), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination) (IMAGAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Radiation Detection Instruments & Systems (Portal monitors, spectrometers, contamination monitors) (EUAKAIAK), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)
Keywords
Where Photonic Science is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint Anne's On Sea
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Photonic Science business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Camera and Detector Sales: Photonic Science generates revenue through the sale of high-performance digital cameras and detector systems. Products include X-ray cameras, SWIR/InGaAs cameras, sCMOS cameras, ICCD/intensified cameras, neutron detectors, and Laue diffraction systems. Both standard off-the-shelf products and custom OEM solutions are offered.
- OEM Custom Solutions: The company provides custom-designed imaging systems for OEM customers including complete turnkey solutions involving cameras, illumination sources, optics, and imaging software. This includes special form factors, cooling options, and integration into specific instruments and systems.
- Professional Services and Support: Photonic Science offers installation, user training, application support, and technical services for their camera systems and Laue crystal orientation products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom quotation-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Photonic Science product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Photonic Science designs and manufactures high-performance scientific digital cameras and detector systems covering X-ray, visible, SWIR (InGaAs), neutron, and intensified imaging spectra, alongside Laue crystal orientation systems. The company also provides custom OEM imaging solutions and turnkey integration of cameras, illumination, optics, and software for instrument manufacturers. Products are engineered for high demanding industrial, defense/surveillance, and scientific research applications requiring ultra-low noise, high sensitivity, and bespoke environmental specifications.
Product overview
Photonic Science is a manufacturer of high-performance digital cameras and detector systems covering X-ray, visible, SWIR (InGaAs), and neutron detection. Their product portfolio includes: X-ray cameras ranging from 1.4MP to 64MP with energy ranges 1-300 keV for microtomography, PCB testing, and synchrotron applications; SWIR/InGaAs cameras with VGA and qVGA resolution (900-1700nm) and OEM module variants for integration; Optical sCMOS cameras in 4MP to 16MP formats with GigE Vision compliance; Intensified CCD/CMOS cameras with 3ns gating for low-light applications; and Laue crystal orientation systems for X-ray diffraction. Products support industrial, surveillance, scientific, and medical markets with custom OEM solutions available.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- X-ray sCMOS 16MP Detector (Lightly Cooled) Compact, lightly cooled high-resolution X-ray imaging detector with brass shielding, optimized for short exposures (1ms to 10s) and protection from scattered X-rays. Uses sCMOS technology with 3-100 keV (Gadox:Tb) or 20-300 keV (CsI) energy range. For synchrotron, microtomography, and PCB testing applications.
- X-ray sCMOS 4MP Detector Up to 67mm x 67mm active area with 4 megapixel resolution, enabling 1keV-55keV operation with Gadox:Tb scintillator or 20-300 keV with CsI. Features built-in electronic shutter for smear-free acquisition and simultaneous integration/readout for 100% duty cycle.
- X-ray sCMOS 64 MP Detector Large square active area (61.44 x 61.44 mm) achieved by fibre optic coupling to four 16MP sCMOS sensors with custom scintillator for 1-100 keV operation. Delivers more than 5 fps full resolution with rolling and built-in electronic shutter (sub-100µs).
- X-ray FDS Detector High resolution X-ray digital detector with direct coupled micro fiber-optic input that protects the sensor from radiation damage. Ranges from 1.4MP to 6MP with active areas 8.8x6.7mm up to 12.5x10mm. Custom scintillator allows 3keV-300keV operation.
- X-ray sCMOS FDS Detector Fast sCMOS-based X-ray detector with 1.77MP to 7.1MP resolution, 10-37 fps frame rates, and native 12-bit acquisition with 16-bit extended dynamic range mode. Active areas 8.75x6.6mm to 14.5x9.9mm with Gadox:Tb or CsI scintillators.
- X-ray Laue Back-Scattered Camera High-resolution Laue X-ray camera with 2570x1710 pixel resolution and 14-bit digitization. Features centre hole for X-ray passage, 155x105mm active area, and single crystal orientation down to 0.1° accuracy using PSEL software.
- Cooled VGA SWIR InGaAs Camera Selected InGaAs focal plane array with 640x512 resolution, 900-1700nm spectral range, air or water cooling options. Achieves <30 electrons readout noise in high gain mode with QE of 80% at 1500nm. Frame rates up to 174 fps full VGA and 7200 fps at 640x4 for spectroscopy.
- Cooled qVGA SWIR InGaAs Camera InGaAs sensor with 320x256 resolution, optional extended spectral response up to 2.2µm. Features 30µm pixel pitch, >100 fps at full resolution, and air or water cooling for reduced dark current.
- Cooled VGA SWIR InGaAs OEM Module Compact OEM module (45mm x 46.5mm x 50mm, 250g) with special form factors for integration into specific instruments and systems. Features 2.5W uncooled / 6.5W cooled power consumption at 12V DC.
- HAWKeye sCMOS Camera 1910 Sub-electron sCMOS camera with 1920x1080 resolution, 380-1100nm spectral range, <1 electron readout noise, and >90dB intra-scene dynamic range. Features HD-SDI and Camera Link interfaces with passive or active cooling options.
- Cooled sCMOS Camera Available in 4MP (2048x2048) and 16MP (4096x4096) versions with water or air cooling. GigE Vision compliant for multi-platform operation (Windows, Linux). Offers 16-bit digitization, high dynamic range, and peak QE up to 74%.
- Nightfall-LT Low size, weight and power sCMOS camera (600g, 69.6x46.4mm diameter) with <1 electron readout noise. Operates at 12V with 685mA maximum current (with Peltier cooling). Available in monochrome or colour.
- Intensified CCD & CMOS Camera (iCMOS_18) Ultimate low light level imaging with gating speeds down to 3 ns, featuring 18mm Gen 2/Gen 3 image intensifiers with 60 lp/mm resolution. Gains from 10^4 to 10^6 with high dynamic range to 10^9 intrascene. Applications include astronomy, LiDAR, plasma studies, and fluorescence lifetime detection.
- Laue-LT Crystal Diffraction System Compact Laue crystal diffraction system with simplified configuration for research laboratories and industrial users. Features crystal orientation down to 0.2° accuracy, plug-and-play operation, sealed X-ray source, and automatic processing of misorientation data.
- OEM Custom Imaging Solutions Custom-designed imaging systems for OEM customers, including complete turnkey solutions comprising cameras, illumination sources, optics, and imaging software. Offers special form factors, cooling options, and integration into specific instruments and systems.
- Installation, Training and Application Support Services Professional services for camera systems and Laue crystal orientation products, including installation, user training, application support, and ongoing technical services.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ultra-low read noise of <1 electron RMS achieved with sCMOS sensors
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Photonic Science
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Photonic Science technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature6 records
Photonic Science partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Photek (Sister Company)corePhotek is a sister company under Tibidabo Scientific Industries, specializing in imaging and photonics technologies. Managing Director Andre Goodson leads both Photek and Photonic Science, enabling close collaboration and aligned capabilities across both organizations.
- Tibidabo Scientific Industries (Parent)coreTibidabo Scientific Industries is the parent company of Photonic Science and Engineering Limited (PSEL). As part of Tibidabo, Photonic Science collaborates with sister companies including Photek, Scintacor, Lambert Instruments, Precision X-Ray, LLA Instruments, and XCAM Scientific. The group includes senior leadership shared across entities, with Andre Goodson serving as Managing Director of both Photek and Photonic Science.
- TPS (Brazil)minorRegional distributor for Photonic Science products in Brazil. Located at Bonsucesso Street No. 147 S206P, Bonsucesso. Contact: Fabio Silva, T: +55 (21) 3734-8862.
- Photon Lines (France)minorRegional distributor for Photonic Science products in France. Located at 10, avenue des Touches, 35740 Pacé. Contact: Pierre Le Delliou, T: +33 (0)2 22 91 11 30.
- Titan Electro-Optics (Hong Kong) Co., LtdminorRegional distributor for Photonic Science products in China and Hong Kong. Located at F6, HuiZhong Building, No.1 Street 7, ShangDi, HaiDian District, Beijing, China 100085. Contact: Mr. Jean Dong.
- Elico Marketing Pvt. Ltd. (India)minorRegional distributor for Photonic Science products in India. Located at 557, Phase-V, KPHB Kukatpally, Hyderabad, Telangana, India – 500072. Contact: Vamsi Rudraraju, T: +91-9959563344.
- AD Science (Japan)minorRegional distributor for Photonic Science products in Japan. Located at Funabashi Honcho Plaza building 4F, 2-2-7 Honcho, Funabashi-shi, Chiba 273-0005, Japan. Contact: Hiroshi Saito.
- DHT Corporation (Japan)minorRegional distributor for Photonic Science products in Japan. Located at Asahi Tamagawa Building 2F, 1-636 Maruko-dori, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 211-0006.
- LUCIR (Japan)minorRegional distributor for Photonic Science products in Japan. Located at 601-3, Nakabeppu, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2667 Japan. Contact: Yuji Kohmura.
- Avicon (Poland)minorRegional distributor for Photonic Science products in Poland. Located at Al. Jerozolimskie 202, 02-486 Warsaw, Poland. Contact: Marcin Kowalski, T: +48 22 631 03 71.
- Softex Korea (South Korea)minorRegional distributor for Photonic Science products in South Korea. Located in Tokyo, Japan with sales operations covering South Korea.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Photonic Science competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Varex Imaging: Varex is a broad X-ray imaging component supplier (medical and industrial) that also serves security and industrial NDT markets adjacent to Photonic Science's fibre-coupled sCMOS detectors.
- Detection Technology: Detection Technology is a larger incumbent supplying X-ray detector modules and sub-assemblies across medical, security and industrial markets — only partially overlapping with Photonic Science's X-ray scientific offerings.
Direct peers
- Teledyne Princeton Instruments: Teledyne PI supplies sCMOS, ICCD, EMCCD and X-ray cameras for spectroscopy, imaging and synchrotron research — directly overlapping Photonic Science's scientific and industrial customer base.
- Raptor Photonics: Raptor Photonics offers EMCCD, sCMOS, InGaAs and intensified cameras for scientific and surveillance markets, comparable in size and product breadth to Photonic Science's visible/SWIR/ICCD line-up.
- Dectris: Dectris is the leading supplier of hybrid photon-counting X-ray detectors for synchrotrons and laboratory sources, directly competing with Photonic Science's X-ray sCMOS detector lines in the same facility-customer segment.
- PCO (Excelitas Technologies): PCO manufactures high-performance sCMOS and ICCD cameras used in scientific imaging, life sciences and industrial applications, overlapping Photonic Science's intensified and cooled sCMOS portfolios.
- Hamamatsu Photonics: Hamamatsu produces scientific cameras and X-ray detectors — including sCMOS, InGaAs/SWIR, and X-ray imaging modules — making it one of the closest comparables in Photonic Science's core spectra.
- Sensors Unlimited (Collins Aerospace): Sensors Unlimited is a leading supplier of SWIR InGaAs cameras and focal plane arrays, directly overlapping Photonic Science's SWIR/InGaAs portfolio in industrial, scientific and aerospace use cases.
- Andor Technology (Oxford Instruments): Andor manufactures scientific cameras (sCMOS, ICCD, EMCCD, CCD) for life sciences and physical sciences, directly competing with Photonic Science's sCMOS, intensified and SWIR product lines across shared research customers.
- Photometrics (Teledyne): Photometrics supplies sCMOS and CCD cameras for life sciences and microscopy, competing with Photonic Science's HAWKeye and cooled sCMOS cameras in bioimaging and biophysics research labs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Photonic Science social profiles
Digital presencePhotonic Science compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Photonic Science financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Photonic Science leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Photonic Science funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Photonic Science M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Photonic Science
What does Photonic Science do?
Photonic Science designs and manufactures high-performance scientific digital cameras and detector systems covering X-ray, visible, SWIR (InGaAs), neutron, and intensified imaging spectra, alongside Laue crystal orientation systems. The company also provides custom OEM imaging solutions and turnkey integration of cameras, illumination, optics, and software for instrument manufacturers. Products are engineered for high demanding industrial, defense/surveillance, and scientific research applications requiring ultra-low noise, high sensitivity, and bespoke environmental specifications.
Is Photonic Science a public or private company?
Photonic Science is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Photonic Science founded?
Photonic Science was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Photonic Science based?
Photonic Science is headquartered in Saint Anne's On Sea, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Photonic Science make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Camera and Detector Sales are the primary driver. The others are OEM Custom Solutions and professional Services and Support.
Who are Photonic Science's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Varex Imaging and Detection Technology. Direct peers are Teledyne Princeton Instruments, Raptor Photonics, Dectris, PCO (Excelitas Technologies), Hamamatsu Photonics, Sensors Unlimited (Collins Aerospace), Andor Technology (Oxford Instruments) and Photometrics (Teledyne).
Does Photonic Science have an API?
No public API is recorded for Photonic Science.
What industry is Photonic Science in?
Photonic Science's product category is Scientific Imaging Cameras and Detectors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAFAB, Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination), with a secondary code of EUAKAIAK, Radiation Detection Instruments & Systems (Portal monitors, spectrometers, contamination monitors). Its NAICS code is 33451 and its SIC code is 3826.