Singular Photonics (Singular) has announced the global market introduction of two next-generation image sensors based on single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) technology.
The Andarta sensor, developed in collaboration with Meta, features a miniature form factor with high sensitivity, making it well-suited for various medical imaging applications. It supports multiple modes of operation, including in-pixel autocorrelation measurements, and represents a significant step toward the successful incorporation of SPAD technology in wearable devices. In addition, Andarta enables the monitoring of cerebral blood flow by detecting rapid fluctuations in light as it passes through tissue—at depths not otherwise currently possible with traditional current sensors.
The Sirona sensor, Singular’s first commercially available product, is a 512-pixel SPAD-based line sensor with time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) capabilities. It also supports Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), time-of-flight imaging, and quantum applications. With on-chip histogramming and time binning, Sirona is believed by the company to have the potential to transform spectroscopy and other precision optical measurement applications.
Advanced Computational Imaging with SPAD Technology
SPAD technology utilizes the semiconductor avalanche effect to convert light directly into an electrical current without the need for cooling or amplification. While most commercially available SPAD-based image sensors are limited to time-resolved photon counting, Singular’s core innovation integrates complex computational layers beneath 3D-stacked SPAD sensors.
This approach transforms SPAD sensors into computational imaging engines, capable of real-time photon counting, timing, and advanced processing such as in-pixel histograms, statistical analysis, and autocorrelation. The integration of high-speed localized processing is comparable to how FPGAs and GPUs revolutionized parallel computing, expanding SPAD sensor functionality beyond traditional limits.
Expanding the Capabilities of SPAD Image Sensors
Founded as a spin-out from the University of Edinburgh, Singular is among the first known companies to combine advanced computation with SPAD-based image sensing, enabling in-pixel and cross-pixel storage and computations at the lowest light levels. This technology allows Singular’s sensors to capture previously undetectable details of photon interactions, enhancing the performance of scientific instrumentation, medical imaging, and industrial applications.
Professor Robert Henderson, who leads the CMOS Sensors and Systems Group at the University of Edinburgh, played a pivotal role in the development of SPAD technology. In 2005, he designed one of the first SPAD image sensors in nanometer CMOS technologies, which led to the development of the industry’s first known time-of-flight (ToF) sensors in 2013. Today, those sensors enable autofocus-assist functionality in over a billion smartphones worldwide.
“There can be no doubt that SPAD sensors are the future of digital imaging, but their use to date in commercial devices hasn’t extended much beyond time-resolved counting of photons,” said Prof Henderson. “Computational cleverness can be the difference. We are building next-generation imaging sensors, where the computation is done digitally at the pixel level – exactly where the photons arrive.”
Commercial Applications and Future Developments
By simultaneously capturing depth and temporal dimensions, Singular’s 4D imaging technology delivers deep, data-rich insights that enable more precise optical measurements. These innovations support a broad range of applications, including consumer and automotive electronics, biomedical imaging, and scientific instrumentation
Singular has already inked multiple deals for its sensors with some of the world’s leading instrumentation companies, and expects to announce more collaborations in 2025.
“We are in a unique position where we already have commercially available products and are generating revenue in our first year of incorporation,” said Shahida Imani, CEO of Singular Photonics. “With new, even more advanced sensors coming to the market in 2025, we are well positioned to lead the SPAD-driven imaging revolution.”
About Singular Photonics
Singular Photonics is developing the next generation of image sensors based on single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) for a wide range of applications. A spin-out from the University of Edinburgh, Singular is among the first companies to integrate advanced computation with SPAD-based image sensing. By simultaneously capturing depth and temporal dimensions, Singular’s 4D imaging technology delivers deep, data-rich insights, unlocking new possibilities in medical imaging, scientific instrumentation, and industrial applications.
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Source/Photo Credit: Singular Photonics
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