About Us

With our detectors the world is getting to the bottom of materials
– for engineers, scientists and other curious people.

At KETEK in Munich, Germany, an experienced team of highly motivated engineers, physicists and technicians is developing and manufacturing a unique product portfolio around the Silicon Drift Detector, starting from the bare silicon wafer to the detector chip and further to the highly complex detector module.

We are offering our customers, located everywhere in the world, tailored solutions for their analytical devices and applications, including our in-house-developed analog and digital signal processing electronics.

KETEK has been certified by TÜV Management Services for the integration of a quality management system according to ISO 9001:2015 for “manufacturing and development of semiconductors, detector systems and corresponding electronics.”

TIMELINE

KETEK sells Silicon Photomultiplier Assets to Broadcom

Effective October 7th 2021, KETEK GmbH and Broadcom Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Broadcom”) signed an agreement pursuant to which Broadcom will acquire the Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) assets of KETEK.

2021

KETEK SiPM WL Series

SiPM WL Series launched

The new WL Series sets new standards in performance, low noise and recovery time.

New VITUS 2.0 SDD generation

The new VITUS 2.0 SDD generation comprises KETEK’s new Graphene windows, improved cooling technology and KETEK’s CSA ASIC as first amplification stage. A major improvement of low-energy transmission as well as energy resolution has been achieved.

KETEK SDDs once again on Mars

The latest NASA Mars rover “Perseverance” has been equipped with KETEK VITUS SDDs. Our detectors are again playing a significant role in exploring the Red Planet.

2020

AXAS 2.0: small high-performance SDD system

KETEK introduces its new complete SDD system AXAS-A/D 2.0 in a compact housing.

2019

VICO-DV 2.0: smallest OEM SDD electronics

KETEK presents its new OEM SDD electronics which is the smallest board available on the market.

2018

KETEK’s own Graphene window market-ready

KETEK has started to supply its own Graphene windows.

2017

7-Channel SDD Array

7-Channel SDD Array introduced

KETEK launches a new high-end 7-Channel SDD Array with total collimated area of 560 mm².

KETEK SiPM WB Series

SiPM WB Series launched

The new WB Series sets new standards in performance, mass volume production and cost effectiveness.

Frozen-Frog technology

SDD with improved cooling performance

Market introduction of the new cooling technology which improves the SDD cool-down behaviour by >20 K over the whole temperature range.

VIAMP product line extended

VIAMP-KC with a FFC connector and more compact dimensions has been introduced.

New management

Dr. Jürgen Knobloch joins KETEK management.

2016

New Digital OEM System

KETEK introduces a new highly integrated digital OEM system for a combination with the VIAMP incl. the DPP2 – the VICO-DV.

KETEK SiPM EB Series

SiPM EB Series launched

The new EB Series introduces a new 4-side-tileable package as well as improved chip and timing performance.

2015

New DPP2 (VICO-DP)

New High Performance Digital Pulse Processor DPP2 (VICO-DP) introduced. The DPP2 optimized for KETEKs CUBE based SDDs to take full advantage of the fast sensors.

SiPM Production transferred to TIER-1 Foundry

For high-volume production and highest uniformity of our SiPMs, we manufacture at one of the leading CMOS foundries.

2013

World's largest circular silicon drift detector

World’s Largest SDD

KETEK presents the world´s largest circular silicon drift detector with an unprecedented 150 mm² active area as a new standard product within the VITUS SDD family.

KETEK SiPM Portfolio 1.0

4 SiPM SIZES OFFERED

KETEK completes its Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) portfolio with four standard sizes from 1mm² to 36mm² active area in chip size packages.

High Performance SDDs Presented

Market introduction of next generation high performance SDDs for transmission electron microscope (TEM) applications, offering unprecedented high solid angles.

2012

KETEK SiPM 3x3

SiPM Modules Presented

KETEK presents first fully functional 3×3 mm² Silicon Photomultiplier modules with a photo detection efficiency (PDE) > 60%.

VITUS SDD used on Mars Rover

VITUS SDD on Mars Rover

In August 2012, the Mars rover Curiosity lands on the red planet and sends the first XRF analysis data acquired with a VITUS SDD from KETEK.

New VITUS Cube SDD Series

First samples of the brand new VITUS CUBE SDD series with an ultra-low-capacitance ASIC, replacing the classical FET. Operation at peaking times down to 100ns is possible with input count rates far above 1Mcps and excellent energy resolution.

2011

Expands Production Facility

KETEK expands its SDD production facility at its headquarters in Munich with doubled clean room area.

Training Programs

KETEK begins with its own training programs for employees. The apprenticeship “Electronics for devices and systems” is offered the first time and successfully executed.

VICO HV

New VICO Product Line

The brand new VICO electronics product family is introduced with small and compact form factors: Pre-amplifier, peltier controller and high voltage power supply are available.

2010

Semiconductor Production Capacity Extended

KETEK extends its semiconductor production capacity based on 6 inch (150mm) wafer technology.

VITUS H30

New World Record Set

With an unprecedented energy resolution of 120.9eV, KETEK demonstrates a new world record for Silicon Drift Detectors in an EDX microanalysis application with KETEK’s latest generation 30mm² SDD in combination with an excellent carbon resolution of 46eV. The excellent SDD performance, close to theoretical limit, enables material imaging analysis

Centre for Microsystem-Integration

Foundation of ‘Centre for Microsystem-Integration Munich’ (CMM): The well-established partners offer a broad expertise in technology and product development in the area of micro systems and will cooperate in the fields of micro system technology, CMOS, silicon processes as well as vertical system integration.

New Multilayer Collimator

Ketek introduces a new multilayer collimator for the VITUS vacuum SDD product line as new standard collimator.

VIAMP

VIAMP Module Product Launch

Ketek launches its first VIAMP module to the market, which is composed of SDD and pre-amplifier both integrated in a compact case for Handheld and Desktop applications.

2000s

2009

Automatic Multitest Environment

The new automatic Multitest Environment for detector analyses in vacuum for various energy fields starts its 24h/7days operation.

Class 1000 Clean Room

KETEK’s new class 1000 clean room has started operation in April 2008. The new facility is equipped with state of the art air filtering and climate controls.

Evacuated SDDs

KETEK offers evacuated SDDs with enlarged temperature budget that allows low power operation for extreme environmental conditions. The SDD is best suited for material analysis with mobile devices.

Produces Optical Detectors

KETEK developes and produces optical detectors for single photon counting based on Silicon (Silicon Photo Multiplier).

40% global market share

40% Global Market Share

KETEK has 15000 SDD system for XRF und EDX in operation with a global market share of 40%.

2008

6th Generation SDDs

Introduction of the 6th generation of SDDs with improved energy resolution and thermal budget.

AXAS-M

Product Launch: AXAS-M

Launch of AXAS-M, a new highly modular detector system with separate detector head unit and supply / signal processing unit, available for all VITUS SDDs.

Qualified by TÜV Management Services

KETEK has been qualified by TÜV Management Services for the integration of a quality management system according to ISO 9001:2000 for “sales, manufacturing and development of semiconductor detectors, detector systems and corresponding electronics.”

World Record Energy Resolution

KETEKs SDD achieved world record energy resolution of 123,0 eV for Mn Kα line.

Enhanced Production Capability

Relocation of the backend production into KETEKs new cleanroom facilities with largely enhanced production capability.

2007

AXAS-D

Product Launch: AXAS-D

Market launch of the KETEK Digital Analytical X-ray Acquisition System (AXAS-D), available for all VITUS SDD modules.

5th Generation SDDs

Market launch of the 5th generation of SDDs with best analytical performance with P/B up to 20000.

New Management

New KETEK management: Dr. Reinhard Fojt and Silvia Wallner.

2006

World’s First Analytical Drift Detector

Launch of the world´s first Analytical Drift Detector (ADD) integrated into Oxford Instruments´ new INCAx-act. The ADD is based on the superior VITUS technology and performs significantly better at low energies than any other SDD sensor.

2005

4th Generation SDDs

Introduction of VITUS family, the 4th generation of SDDs with pulsed reset and external first FET.

Selective Silicon Epitaxy Introduced

Development and introduction of the KETEK selective silicon epitaxy for fabrication of advanced radiation detectors

2004

Innovation Award

Innovation award of the consortium of Bavarian Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken for KETEK technology and products.

Award Received

KETEK won the title “Bavarian Medium-sized Enterprise of the Year 2004.”

2002

3rd Generation SDDs

Presentation of the 3rd generation of SDD with an energy resolution < 128eV at Mn Kα.

Product Launch: AXAS

Initiation of the electronic product line with the KETEK Analytical X-ray Acquisition System (AXAS) with own development and production.

1990s

1995

1st Generation SDDs

Development and launch of the first generation of commercial SDD modules. Introduction of KETEK SDD to the XRF and EDX market within a strong co-operation with Röntec.

1980s

1989

Company Founded

Formation of KETEK GmbH by Dr. Josef Kemmer.