New Photodetector Boasts Superior Characteristics for Single Molecule Detection

A novel hybrid photodetector with superior characteristics for single molecule detection (SMD) and other advanced microscopy applications is now available for biotechnology and other life science laboratories.

Leica Microsystems (Wetzlar, Germany) introduced the Leica HyD SMD universal hybrid photodetector at the 2014 annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience (Washington DC, USA) and will follow up at the December 6–10, 2014, annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology (Philadelphia, PA, USA).


The Leica HyD SMD is an advancement of the proven Leica HyD, the hybrid detector for super-sensitive confocal imaging used with the Leica TCS SP8 microscope system. Photodetectors translate light into an electric signal, which makes them a critical part of the recording process.

The Leica HyD combines the best characteristics of the classic photomultiplier tube (PMT) with the highly sensitive avalanche photodiodes (APDs). The HyD’s photon detection is very efficient as there is virtually no loss of electrons. The dark noise level is very low, which gives an efficient recovery of the signal. The avalanche element allows immediate response and a very sharp electrical pulse. Photon counting is possible even at high intensities. This combination results in super-sensitivity and large dynamic range combined with rapid detection speed and low dark noise, making the Leica HyD the ideal detector for most types of sample.

Dr. Lioba Kuschel, product manager at Leica Microsystems, said, “The Leica HyD SMD is a class of its own. Virtually no detector afterpulsing and a fast instrument response time give precise and reliable data for FCS (fluorescence correlation spectroscopy) and FLIM (fluorescence lifetime measurement). Its high dynamic range and excellent contrast make it an ideal tool for super-sensitive imaging as well.”

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