Company patents

HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.

HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K. shows a surprising shift in its patent strategy, with a significant emerging focus on Photovoltaic / Photoconductive Devices, which saw 21 patents in 2025 after zero in prior years, and 20 so far in 2026, indicating a new strategic direction. This contrasts with a notable decline in its historically strong Integrated Circuit Layout & Arrangement category, which plummeted by 75.0% in 2025 and has seen a 100.0% decline so far in 2026.

Patent Trend by Technology Area

Yearly patent publications since 2023

Product themes

Product-level themes inferred from filings since 2023, with category chips showing where each theme appears. Select a theme to filter the patents below.

1,151 US filings (since 2023) · 12 categories · 40 themes

Advanced Optical Sensor Components

Innovations in the physical design, materials, fabrication, or packaging of photodetectors and optical sensor elements, including thermoelectric, NIR-compliant, and self-mixing interference types, to improve performance or integration.

Photometry / Spectrometry
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159since 2023
-26.8%YoY
Laser Module Packaging

Methods and structures for assembling laser chips into functional modules, encompassing optical alignment, electrical interconnection, mechanical support, thermal management, and encapsulation for protection.

Lasers
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119since 2023
-14.3%YoY
Semiconductor Laser Fabrication

Techniques for manufacturing semiconductor laser chips, including active region design, mirror structures, current and optical confinement, and the integration of multiple layers or elements on a substrate.

Lasers
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117since 2023
+6.9%YoY
Ion Implantation Control & Metrology

Methods and apparatus for precise wafer positioning, ion beam uniformity, and dose monitoring during ion implantation processes in semiconductor device manufacturing.

Electron / Ion Tubes & Discharge
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95since 2023
-9.7%YoY
Spectroscopic Material & Process Analysis

Techniques and apparatus utilizing various spectroscopy methods (e.g., Raman, NIRS, photometric, interferometric) for identifying substances, measuring concentrations, or monitoring chemical and physical processes in industrial, environmental, or laboratory settings.

Photometry / Spectrometry
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86since 2023
-23.1%YoY
Laser Material Processing

Techniques and systems utilizing laser beams for precise material modification, including cutting, cladding, ablation, and surface treatment, often for joining, shaping, or removing material.

Welding & Soldering
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75since 2023
-8.7%YoY
Image Sensor Pixel & Array Design

Layout, material composition, and structural arrangement of photoelectric conversion elements and associated circuitry within image sensor arrays, including infrared detectors and back-side illuminated structures.

Integrated Circuit Layout & Arrangement
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72since 2023
-50.0%YoY
Charged Particle Beam Optics

Techniques and devices for generating, shaping, focusing, and deflecting electron or ion beams, often involving multi-pole lenses, deflectors, and aberration correction for applications like microscopy or processing.

Electron / Ion Tubes & Discharge
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71since 2023
-34.5%YoY
3D Image Sensor Pixel Design

Focuses on advanced pixel architectures, often involving vertical stacking (3D) or silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structures, to improve performance, density, or functionality of photodiodes, transistors, and floating diffusion regions within image sensor pixels.

Photovoltaic / Photoconductive Devices
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57since 2023
+21.4%YoY
Advanced Optical Imaging & Lens Design

Development of sophisticated optical lens assemblies and computational methods to achieve high-resolution, precise, or specialized imaging, often for medical or scientific applications.

Optical Elements & Systems
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55since 2023
-5.3%YoY
Specialized Image Sensor Applications

Image sensors tailored for specific advanced functionalities beyond basic image capture, such as high dynamic range (HDR) imaging, single-photon detection, auto-focus, or distance measurement (LiDAR), often incorporating specialized pixel designs or processing.

Photovoltaic / Photoconductive Devices
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47since 2023
+33.3%YoY
Automated Visual Inspection

Systems that employ imaging and image processing to automatically detect defects, verify states, or ensure quality control in manufactured goods, printed materials, or industrial processes.

Material & Chemical AnalysisPictorial / Video Communications
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44since 2023
-27.8%YoY
X-ray Tube Design & Cooling

Engineering solutions for X-ray tube components, including integrated cooling systems (e.g., oil circulation) and control mechanisms for tube voltage and current to ensure stable and safe operation.

Electron / Ion Tubes & Discharge
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38since 2023
-21.4%YoY
Advanced Material Characterization

Techniques and systems for precisely measuring electrical or electromagnetic properties of materials or components, often involving specialized resonators, waveguides, or multi-range measurement systems to ensure accuracy.

Electrical Measurement
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37since 2023
+20.0%YoY
Multi-spectral & Hyperspectral Imaging

Systems and methods for acquiring and analyzing image data across multiple discrete spectral bands or a continuous spectrum, often for material characterization, environmental monitoring, or remote sensing applications.

Photometry / Spectrometry
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33since 2023
0.0%YoY
RF Plasma Power Delivery

Systems and methods for delivering radio frequency (RF) power to plasma processing chambers, including impedance matching, pulse shaping, and feedback control for stable and efficient plasma generation.

Electron / Ion Tubes & Discharge
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32since 2023
-33.3%YoY
Lasers for Optical Communication

Design and integration of lasers and associated components specifically for transmitting data over optical fibers or through free space, including modulation schemes and efficient light coupling.

Lasers
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29since 2023
+50.0%YoY
Semiconductor Electrical Testfiltered

Techniques and apparatus for electrically testing semiconductor devices, integrated circuits, or wafers during manufacturing or post-assembly, including built-in self-test (BIST) and contact reliability assessment.

Electrical Measurement
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29since 2023
-27.3%YoY
Welding Process Control

Systems and methods for precisely controlling welding parameters such as power, speed, oscillation, and material feed to optimize weld quality, consistency, and efficiency, often involving automated or semi-automated processes.

Welding & Soldering
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28since 2023
-12.5%YoY
Laser Safety and Control

Techniques and systems for ensuring the safe and precise operation of lasers, including power regulation, hazard detection, and deconfliction mechanisms in complex or dynamic environments.

Lasers
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25since 2023
-11.1%YoY
Multi-Sensor Imaging & Synthesis

Systems that combine data from multiple camera sensors or capture multiple images from different perspectives or qualities, often involving image processing techniques like synthesis to create enhanced or comprehensive views.

Pictorial / Video Communications
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24since 2023
0.0%YoY
Advanced Biomarker Detection Assays

Methods and compositions for identifying, quantifying, or characterizing specific biological molecules (e.g., nucleic acids, proteins, metabolites, antibodies) or microbial species, often for diagnostic, prognostic, or quality control applications.

Material & Chemical Analysis
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23since 2023
-33.3%YoY
Tunable Laser Sources

Mechanisms and designs for actively changing or stabilizing the output wavelength, frequency, or spectral properties of a laser, often involving integrated optical filters, resonators, or pump adjustments.

Lasers
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21since 2023
+66.7%YoY
Metasurface & Diffractive Optics

Engineering of artificial subwavelength structures (meta-atoms) to create metasurfaces that manipulate light properties (phase, polarization, wavelength) for multi-functional optical devices.

Optical Elements & Systems
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19since 2023
+40.0%YoY
Magnetic Resonance Sensing

Methods and apparatus for measuring magnetic fields or utilizing magnetic resonance principles for medical diagnostics, material analysis, or precise localization, including gradient field measurement in MRI.

Electrical Measurement
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18since 2023
+100.0%YoY
Fiber Laser Systems

Systems and components related to fiber lasers and fiber optical amplifiers, including doped fibers, pump schemes, and specialized fiber structures for gain, filtering, or thermal management.

Lasers
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17since 2023
+50.0%YoY
Advanced PV Cell Materials & Architectures

Focuses on novel semiconductor materials, heterostructures, and doping profiles to improve photovoltaic conversion efficiency, stability, and spectral response.

Photovoltaic / Photoconductive Devices
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16since 2023
new
Photonic Integration & Interconnects

The design and manufacturing of integrated circuits that combine optical and electronic components, particularly for high-speed data communication between processors and memory.

Photovoltaic / Photoconductive Devices
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9since 2023
new
Plasma Process Chamber Engineering

Design and control of plasma processing chambers, including heating, gas delivery, electrode configurations, and magnetic field control for uniform and efficient material processing in semiconductor manufacturing.

Electron / Ion Tubes & Discharge
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9since 2023
-50.0%YoY
Wafer Handling and Process Environment Control

Systems and methods for automated substrate transport, precise positioning, temperature regulation, and chamber environment management to ensure process stability, uniformity, and yield in semiconductor manufacturing.

Semiconductor Manufacturing Process
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8since 2023
+200.0%YoY
Optical Fiber Sensing Systems

Systems and methods that utilize optical fibers as sensing elements or for transmitting sensing signals, often for distributed monitoring of environmental conditions, phase changes, or integrating sensing with communication.

Optical Elements & Systems
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7since 2023
+100.0%YoY
Temporary Wafer Bonding & Debonding

Methods for temporarily attaching a wafer or substrate to a carrier for thinning, dicing, or other processing, followed by controlled debonding, often using light-sensitive resins, temporary adhesives, or roughened interfaces.

Semiconductor Manufacturing Process
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7since 2023
+100.0%YoY
Vacuum System & Chamber Evacuation

Techniques and apparatus for achieving and maintaining vacuum conditions within charged particle and plasma processing chambers, including pump control, vacuum degree monitoring, and chamber sealing.

Electron / Ion Tubes & Discharge
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6since 2023
+50.0%YoY
Advanced Etching & Patterning Control

Techniques for precise material removal, pattern shaping, and controlling etch selectivity or uniformity, often involving plasma, wet chemistry, or directed beams to achieve desired features on semiconductor substrates.

Semiconductor Manufacturing Process
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6since 2023
new
Electronic Component Bonding

Specialized welding or bonding techniques and apparatuses tailored for joining small-scale electronic components, integrated circuits, or semiconductor wafers, emphasizing precision, miniaturization, and electrical connectivity.

Welding & Soldering
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5since 2023
+300.0%YoY
Thermal & Infrared Sensing Applications

Use of thermal and infrared sensors for non-contact temperature measurement, occupancy detection, structural health monitoring, fire/hazard detection, and process control in diverse industrial, environmental, and security applications.

Photometry / Spectrometry
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5since 2023
+100.0%YoY
AI for Medical Diagnostics

Utilizing machine learning, particularly deep learning, to analyze medical data such as images, sensor readings, or physiological signals for disease prediction, diagnosis, or treatment assessment.

Image Processing
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4since 2023
0.0%YoY
Integrated Display & Illumination

Systems that combine light sources, waveguides, and display elements into unified products for backlighting, automotive applications, general lighting, or color-corrected displays.

Optical Elements & Systems
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4since 2023
n/a
In Vitro Disease Modeling & Cell Engineering

Development and use of engineered biological systems, such as organ-on-a-chip devices, dynamic hydrogels, or genetically modified cells, to mimic physiological conditions, study disease mechanisms, screen compounds, or develop cell-based therapies.

Material & Chemical Analysis
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3since 2023
0.0%YoY
Conformal & Selective Film Deposition

Methods for depositing thin films with controlled conformality, thickness, and material properties, including selective deposition on specific areas, often using atomic layer deposition (ALD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), or epitaxial growth.

Semiconductor Manufacturing Process
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1since 2023
n/a

Patents

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