microSPIRE · Project

Ultra-Sensitive Light Detectors on Silicon for Better Medical Imaging and Quantum Sensing

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microspire-h2020.eu

Imagine trying to catch every single photon of light — like counting individual raindrops in a storm. This team figured out how to grow tiny crystals of different semiconductor materials on cheap silicon wafers, stacking them vertically like little towers. These micro-crystal towers act as incredibly sensitive light detectors that can spot single photons across a wide color range, from visible light all the way to deep infrared. They tested these detectors on materials that mimic breast tissue, exploring whether longer-wavelength light could improve breast cancer screening.

By the numbers

> 80%

Photon detection efficiency target

> 90%

Fill-factor target

350–900 nm

Visible light sensitivity range

800–1800 nm

Near-infrared sensitivity range

up to 10 µm

Mid-infrared sensitivity range

EUR 3,106,381

EU funding received

Consortium partners

Countries involved (DE, IT, UK)

The business problem

What needed solving

Current single-photon detectors are limited in sensitivity, spectral range, and cannot easily be integrated onto standard silicon chips. This makes advanced medical imaging (especially in infrared wavelengths) and quantum sensing expensive and constrained. Companies building next-generation imaging or photonic devices need detectors that combine high efficiency with silicon compatibility and broad wavelength coverage.

The solution

What was built

The team fabricated micro-crystal single-photon detector devices (µSiPM and µGePM) on patterned silicon substrates using e-beam lithography, delivered optimized Ge, GaAs/Ge, and Si micro-crystal samples, and tested the silicon and germanium detectors on breast tissue phantoms. In total, 21 deliverables were completed across the project.

Audience

Who needs this

Medical imaging equipment manufacturers (mammography, optical breast screening)Quantum technology companies building single-photon detector modulesLIDAR and autonomous vehicle sensor developers needing infrared detectionSemiconductor foundries integrating III-V materials on siliconDefense and security firms requiring infrared photon counting

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Medical Imaging Equipment

enterprise

Target: Manufacturers of mammography and optical breast imaging systems

If you are a medical imaging company struggling with detector sensitivity in breast screening devices — this project developed micro-crystal single-photon detectors with over 80% photon detection efficiency and over 90% fill-factor. These were tested on breast tissue phantoms and could extend imaging into the 1500nm+ infrared range, potentially opening a new spectral window for breast cancer risk assessment that current detectors cannot reach.

Quantum Technology & Photonics

any

Target: Companies building quantum computing components, LIDAR systems, or quantum communication hardware

If you are a photonics company needing single-photon detectors with high photon-number-resolving capability — this project built silicon-compatible micro-crystal detectors covering 350 nm to 10 µm wavelength range. The vertical hetero-epitaxy method integrates Ge and GaAs directly on standard Si substrates, meaning these detectors can be manufactured using existing semiconductor fabrication infrastructure.

Semiconductor Manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Foundries and fab houses looking to integrate III-V materials on silicon wafers

If you are a semiconductor manufacturer facing the challenge of growing high-quality GaAs or Ge on silicon without defects — this project demonstrated a vertical hetero-epitaxy technique that self-assembles micro-crystal arrays on patterned Si substrates. The consortium of 6 partners across 3 countries delivered working device prototypes using e-beam lithography, etching, and passivation on standard silicon.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or adopt this detector technology?

The project was funded with EUR 3,106,381 under FET Open (frontier research). Licensing terms would need to be negotiated with the coordinator, Politecnico di Milano. As an early-stage technology from a publicly funded project, IP arrangements may be flexible for industrial partners willing to co-develop.

Can this be manufactured at industrial scale?

The fabrication process uses e-beam lithography, wet/dry etching, passivation, and contact deposition on patterned silicon substrates — all standard semiconductor techniques. However, the technology was demonstrated at micro-fabrication scale in a lab setting, not at volume production. Scaling to wafer-level manufacturing would require further engineering.

Who owns the intellectual property?

IP is held by the consortium led by Politecnico di Milano (Italy), with 6 partners across Germany, Italy, and the UK. As a Horizon 2020 RIA project, partners typically retain ownership of their contributions. Licensing discussions should start with the coordinator.

What wavelength ranges does this technology cover?

The detectors cover visible light (350–900 nm), near-infrared (800–1800 nm), and mid-infrared (up to 10 µm). This broad range is achieved by integrating Ge and GaAs quantum wells on silicon, which is not possible with conventional single-material detectors.

Has this been tested in any real-world application?

The Si and Ge devices were tested on phantoms closely mimicking breast tissue to assess signal improvement over state-of-the-art detectors. This is pre-clinical validation, not yet real patient testing. The team specifically explored the 1500nm+ spectral range for breast imaging applications.

Are there regulatory considerations for medical use?

Any medical imaging application would require regulatory approval (CE marking in Europe, FDA clearance in the US). Based on available project data, the technology was tested on tissue phantoms only, meaning it is still several steps away from clinical certification.

Consortium

Who built it

The microSPIRE consortium is heavily academic — 5 universities and just 1 industry partner (which is an SME) across Germany, Italy, and the UK. Led by Politecnico di Milano, one of Europe's top technical universities, the team has deep scientific expertise but limited commercial pull. The 17% industry ratio and FET Open funding scheme signal this is frontier research, not near-market development. A business partner looking to commercialize this would likely need to bring manufacturing capability and market access, but would also find a team eager for industrial collaboration to prove real-world value.

POLITECNICO DI MILANOCoordinator · IT
PHILIPPS UNIVERSITAET MARBURGparticipant · DE
MICRO PHOTON DEVICES SRLparticipant · IT
UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO-BICOCCAparticipant · IT
UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOWparticipant · UK
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET DRESDENparticipant · DE

How to reach the team

Politecnico di Milano, Italy — reach out through SciTransfer for a warm introduction to the research team

Order a report on this consortium See POLITECNICO DI MILANO profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing this detector technology or partnering on next-stage development? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the microSPIRE team and help structure the conversation.

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