Recently, China has achieved a major milestone in the localization of high-performance Silicon Photomultiplier technology. According to CGN Nuclear Technology Development, a production line for high-performance silicon photomultiplier packaging, built by its subsidiary CGN Capital Photonics Technology (Tianjin), has officially commenced operations. The production line has exceeded its target yield rate of over 90% ahead of schedule, marking a significant breakthrough in domestic silicon photomultiplier manufacturing and ending a long-standing dependence on foreign suppliers.
As a core optoelectronic integration technology, silicon photomultiplier is widely used in cutting-edge fields such as nuclear medical imaging, optical communication, sensing systems, high-performance computing, and quantum information processing. Its advantages—such as high bandwidth, low power consumption, and compatibility with CMOS processes—give it broad development potential. For years, the domestic market for high-performance silicon photomultiplier components has been dominated by foreign manufacturers. In response, China has prioritized the independent development of this strategic technology, explicitly incorporating it into China’s Three-Year Action Plan for High-Quality Development of the Nuclear Technology Application Industry (2024–2026).
To overcome technical barriers, CGN Technology and Beijing Normal University jointly established Capital Photonics Technology (Tianjin), which has spearheaded the industrial transformation of scientific research achievements. The company has developed a series of silicon photomultiplier devices with fully independent intellectual property rights, including epitaxial quenching resistor (EQR) structures and position-sensitive photonic components. The successful commissioning of the production line and the achievement of high-yield targets fill a critical domestic gap in high-performance silicon photomultipliers and significantly strengthen the resilience of the industrial supply chain.
Wang Xiaofeng, General Manager of Capital Photonics Technology (Tianjin), stated that mass production of silicon photomultiplier components places extremely high demands on both the production environment and manufacturing processes. To meet these requirements, the company has invested in a high-standard cleanroom facility with Class 100 conditions and independently designed a packaging line that integrates standardized production with advanced quality control. Moving forward, the company will continue to refine and optimize its Silicon Photomultiplier products based on market demand and customer feedback.
The successful localization of high-performance silicon photomultiplier technology is not only a strategic replacement of foreign technology but also a sign that China is transitioning from being a follower to running alongside—and even leading—in the global silicon photomultiplier field.
This achievement marks a shift toward technological self-reliance. In the past, China’s high-performance silicon photomultiplier components were almost entirely imported, making them expensive, difficult to source, and vulnerable to technological restrictions or supply chain disruptions. Now, with domestic capabilities in place, China can accelerate the development of scientific, medical, and industrial applications while lowering costs and enhancing deployment flexibility.
Crucially, this success reflects not just replication but significant advances in foundational disciplines such as materials science, semiconductor processing, photonic circuit design, and nanofabrication. These breakthroughs have enabled the development of sustainable R&D and manufacturing capabilities, providing a solid foundation for continuous product iteration and innovation. Such long-term capabilities position China to play a leading role in the evolution of future optoelectronic and photonic technologies.
At the same time, the introduction of domestically developed, high-performance silicon photomultiplier components are expected to stimulate innovation across downstream industries and research fields. This will foster a positive cycle of technological breakthroughs, real-world applications and industry expansion, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Chinese enterprises and supporting the growth of emerging strategic industries.
Source: Xinhua, CGTN, Guancha
