MICRO PHOTON DEVICES SRL

Their core work

Micro Photon Devices (MPD) is an Italian SME that designs and manufactures single-photon detection systems, particularly SPAD (Single-Photon Avalanche Diode) arrays and infrared photon detectors. Their hardware enables precise photon counting for applications ranging from biomedical imaging and non-invasive diagnostics to quantum communication and quantum key distribution. They serve as a specialized photonics component supplier within larger research and industrial consortia, providing the detector technology that underpins experiments in quantum optics, Raman spectroscopy, and interference microscopy.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

MPD's early H2020 work (2016-2017) centered on biomedical optics and infrared photon detection — applying their detector technology to breast cancer diagnostics (SOLUS) and developing new infrared single-photon detectors (microSPIRE). From 2018 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward quantum technologies, participating in projects on quantum communication, quantum key distribution, and quantum-enhanced microscopy (UNIQORN, Q-MIC). Their most recent project (ProID, 2021) signals a convergence of their photonics expertise with life sciences, using Raman spectroscopy and SPAD arrays for molecular-level protein analysis.

MPD is moving from a pure detector hardware supplier toward an integrated photonics partner for both quantum communication systems and advanced biosensing applications.

How they like to work

MPD operates exclusively as a participant, never coordinating — consistent with their role as a specialized hardware supplier that provides critical detector components to larger research consortia. With 37 unique partners across 13 countries in just 5 projects, they work in medium-to-large consortia and connect with a wide variety of institutions rather than repeating with the same partners. This suggests they are sought after as a reliable photonics specialist by different research communities.

Despite only 5 projects, MPD has built a broad network of 37 partners across 13 countries, indicating they are embedded in diverse European photonics and quantum research communities. Their reach spans well beyond Italy, with connections across the EU research landscape.

What sets them apart

MPD occupies a rare niche as a commercial SME manufacturer of single-photon detection systems — most photonics detector development sits in university labs or large corporations. Their ability to bridge biomedical imaging and quantum communication with the same core SPAD technology makes them a versatile partner. For consortium builders, they bring industrially available photon-counting hardware rather than lab prototypes, which strengthens exploitation and market readiness arguments in proposals.

Highlights from their portfolio

• Q-MIC
  Largest funding (EUR 425,834) — quantum-enhanced interference microscopy represents a direct commercial application of their detector technology.
• UNIQORN
  Positioned MPD in the quantum communication ecosystem, covering QKD protocols, entangled photon sources, and quantum systems on chip — their broadest quantum project.
• SOLUS
  Demonstrated cross-sector versatility by applying photon detection expertise to non-invasive breast cancer diagnostics, bridging photonics and healthcare.