Research on the Global Development Status of Silicon Photomultipliers Based on Patent Data

Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM), as high-performance solid-state photodetectors, hold significant application value in fields such as medical imaging, autonomous driving, and industrial inspection. This study analyzes 7,433 global SiPM-related patents from the PatSnap database, examining the current status and trends of SiPM technology from three dimensions: technology lifecycle, regional competition patterns, and the technological strategies of leading enterprises. The findings reveal that: (1) Global SiPM technology has entered a mature phase, with China accelerating its catch-up driven by applications, though it still relies on international supply chains for foundational processes. (2) The United States dominates system-level innovation, Japan excels in device manufacturing, and China focuses on scenario adaptation. (3) Medical imaging (G01T) and LiDAR (G01S) are the two core application areas. This study elucidates the evolution of SiPM technology from rapid growth to maturity, analyzes the differentiated technological pathways and competitive landscapes of China, the U.S., and Japan, and provides data-driven insights for SiPM technology deployment and industrial policy formulation.