The start-up Moon Photonics is stepping up to scaling quantum applications, such as quantum computing.
“Today, operating a quantum computer relies on components that are cooled to very low temperatures, in the order of 2 K, which corresponds to -271 °C," explained Rémi Moriceau, cofounder and CEO of Moon Photonics. “This constraint highly restricts the development of technology. Currently, these conditions mean that developing a quantum computer with about a million physical qubits would require a 50,000 m² surface. This is obviously unthinkable on an industrial scale."
To overcome these limitations, Moon Photonics is developing a disruptive innovation, a photodetector that will be capable of detecting and counting photons with unprecedented sensitivity, and which will operate at a much higher temperature, in the order of 80 K. Building on twenty years of research at CEA-Leti and on eight patents, the technology will be available in 2030.
A first generation of photodetectors for infrared detection
In the meantime, the start-up will offer a first version of its photodetector, for other applications that rely on infrared detection. For example, they might include free-space optical communication, or high-performance LiDAR: long-distance measuring technology based on analyzing light beams, and used in civil or military applications, such as ballistics, gas measurement, or high-altitude topography.
This first generation of photodetectors has the advantage of functioning at room temperature, between 240 and 300 K, on wide-band infrared. Additionally, the component is integrated within a comprehensive solution that includes an optical microlens, a signal amplifier, and a thermal stabilization device.
Photodetectors that are 20 times more sensitive
At the heart of the innovation are avalanche photodiodes (APD), used inside the photodetectors to amplify signals. Moon Photonics APDs are distinctive in that they use a special semiconducting material, mercury-cadmium telluride (HgCdTe). Its use, which is possible thanks to CEA-Leti research, allows for an amplification gain of up to 1,000, versus 10 to 50 for existing technologies, with an extremely low noise level.
“High gain and low noise are related to the multiplication of exceptional charges in the HgCdTe. Unlike other material systems, only electrons contribute to the multiplication of charges, generating gains that are less random, less noisy, and which do not directly limit the response time of the detectors," added Johan Rothman, cofounder and CTO of Moon Photonics.
Thus, Moon Photonics photodetectors offer a sensitivity that is 20 times higher than that of competing solutions. This considerable improvement offers multiple perspectives, such as more precise measurements, reduced energy consumption, by using a less powerful laser, or smaller lenses to lighten the system.
A joint laboratory for quantum applications
These assets are interesting for many industrial actors, whom Moon Photonics is keen to meet. The company was created in January 2026 by Johan Rothman, who has been working on this technology for twenty years, Julie Abergel, who specializes in manufacturing APDs, and Rémi Moriceau, who brings expertise in business development and fundraising. The start-up is completing a fundraising campaign to industrialize the first generation of photodetectors, which should be released in 2027.
“We have two goals for this industrialization. First, it will derisk the installation of the production tool, to accelerate time-to-market for second-generation detectors that are being developed. Furthermore, this first line of products will generate revenue for Moon Photonics," highlighted Julie Abergel, cofounder and industrial director of Moon Photonics.
Moon Photonics will then focus on the second generation of components. These will build on the same technology, augmented by a cooling system to lower the operating temperature to 80 K, in preparation for use in quantum applications in 2030. This step forward will involve additional research, to be conducted as part of the joint laboratory between the start-up and CEA-Leti.