Designed to detect weak infrared signals around 1550 nm, Phlux's InGaAs avalanche photodiode (APD) technology offers sensitivity up to an order of magnitude greater than conventional near-infrared detectors. This leap in performance, already adopted in laser rangefinders (LRFs) for the defense industry and optical test equipment for fiber optic network monitoring, is now attracting interest from manufacturers of high-end laser rangefinders, integrated ballistic sights, and specialized low-light aiming systems for hunters and professional shooters. Specific versions of the detectors have already been developed for these applications, and Phlux has established partnerships with manufacturers of high-power 1550 nm lasers to support optics manufacturers in the comprehensive development of their products.
“Professional hunters and precision shooters are increasingly demanding more from their equipment: smaller targets, more limited light conditions, adverse weather, and more complex visual environments,” said Stuart Sendall, Sales Director at Phlux. “They’re sending us the same message as our telecom and defense customers: they need greater range, more detail, and greater accuracy in detecting infrared signals. Our sensors are designed to deliver that extra performance headroom.”.
By operating around 1550 nm —an infrared wavelength safe for the eye—, system designers can legally and safely use higher laser powers than with traditional 905 nm devices, enabling them to reach greater distances and obtain more reliable returns on difficult, low-reflectivity targets, such as dark-furred animals, prey partially hidden by vegetation, or uncooperative backgrounds.
Phlux's Noiseless InGaAs sensors are optimized for the 1550 nm band. The combination of ultra-low noise and high internal gain allows for the detection of much weaker return pulses, enabling manufacturers to:
extend the effective measurement distance without increasing laser power;
maintain current performance while reducing optic size and power consumption;
and improve measurement reliability in fog, drizzle, thermal turbulence, and low-contrast environments, where conventional receivers are limited.
For professional guides, nighttime pest controllers, and long-range shooters operating under strict ethical and regulatory guidelines, this translates into more consistent distance data and safer decision-making in the moments before firing.
Beyond standalone rangefinders, premium optics manufacturers are exploring Phlux sensors for integrated solutions that combine distance measurement, ballistic calculation, and imaging. Integrating a highly sensitive 1550 nm receiver with advanced optics and onboard processing enables the development of:
Smart scopes that combine precise distance data with ballistic profiles to deliver a more accurate point of impact;
and compact binoculars or monoculars capable of providing fast and repeatable measurements on real targets, not just highly reflective surfaces.
Professional and tactical-style systems that utilize 1550 nm for illumination or "covert" aiming aids, virtually invisible to traditional night vision devices set below 1 µm.
Because Phlux technology originates from demanding defense and telecommunications environments, it is designed to offer long-term reliability, thermal stability, and consistency—qualities as important to a professional hunter on multi-day expeditions as to an engineer overseeing a fiber optic backbone.
