SenSiC GmbH (Switzerland)

SenSiC GmbH is a Swiss deep-technology company based in Villigen, Switzerland, that develops tailor-made silicon carbide (SiC)–based sensors and electronics for novel monitoring applications. Its primary focus is supporting scientists at synchrotron beamlines, enabling photon-beam monitoring from insertion devices (IDs) down to beamstoppers located near sample positions. The company was founded by Dr. Massimo Camarda, a physicist who previously worked at CNR-IMM in Italy and later as a Senior Scientist at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and ETH Zurich, where he developed the world's first transparent-mode silicon carbide X-ray sensor. SenSiC's product line is built around radiation-hard SiC sensors designed for extreme reliability in demanding beamline environments. Its commercial offerings include SiC beam position monitors (BPMs) for white beams, SiC blade BPMs, beamstopper-integrated sensors, the rXBPM spot-size-independent beam position monitor, free-standing SiC membranes for X-ray beam intensity and position monitoring, and the PCR4 picoammeter readout electronics. These products are used in synchrotron and XFEL facilities for position, intensity, and beam-shape diagnostics. The company's technology is distinguished by its radiation-hard design, high-speed response, and easy integration with standard control schemes. The rXBPM, for example, uses a continuous resistive charge-division architecture rather than conventional segmented electrodes, making it particularly attractive for applications where beam size, shape, or alignment conditions may vary during operation. SenSiC's sensors are used in synchrotron facilities across Europe, Japan, and Australia to stabilize X-ray light sources. SenSiC is a private company and operates from DeliveryLAB in Villigen, Switzerland. It continues to pursue public R&D activities, including quick-mount rXBPM for easier beamline integration, SiC-integrated X-ray optics for in-situ beam diagnostics, and ultra-thin SiC membranes for soft X-rays. The company maintains an active presence on LinkedIn for news and updates.

SenSiC GmbH was founded by Dr. Massimo Camarda, a physicist with a Master's degree (cum laude) and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Catania, obtained in 2002 and 2006 respectively. From 2006 to 2014, Dr. Camarda worked at CNR-IMM in Italy, first as a postdoctoral researcher and later as a senior postdoc. From 2015 to 2019, he continued his scientific work as a Senior Scientist at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and at ETH Zurich in Switzerland. During these years, he developed several novel characterization and fabrication processes for advanced electronic devices, including the world's first transparent-mode silicon carbide X-ray sensor. This technology, now commercialized by PSI, is widely used in synchrotron facilities across Europe, Japan, and Australia to stabilize X-ray light sources. Dr. Camarda has led and coordinated several international research projects, including major Horizon 2020 initiatives with more than €1.5 million in approved funding, and has established productive collaborations with both academia and industry. He is the founder of three start-up companies, all active in the health and energy sectors. Since 2020, he has served as an external consultant for both CNR-IMM (Italy) and PSI (Switzerland). He has co-authored over 100 publications in peer-reviewed international journals and is the inventor of more than 10 patent applications. Dr. Camarda is the founder and CEO of SenSiC. SenSiC GmbH is based in Villigen, Switzerland, at DeliveryLAB. The company develops tailor-made silicon carbide–based sensors and electronics for novel monitoring applications, with the main target of supporting scientists in synchrotron beamlines, enabling photon-beam monitoring from insertion devices (ID) down to the beamstoppers located near sample positions. Its product portfolio includes SiC beam position monitors for white beams, blade BPMs, beamstopper-integrated sensors, the rXBPM spot-size-independent beam position monitor, free-standing SiC membranes for X-ray beam intensity and position monitoring, and the PCR4 picoammeter readout electronics. The company also pursues public R&D activities, including quick-mount rXBPM for easier beamline integration, SiC-integrated X-ray optics for in-situ beam diagnostics, and ultra-thin SiC membranes for soft X-rays.

• 2020

  Dr. Camarda begins serving as an external consultant for CNR-IMM (Italy) and PSI (Switzerland).

• 2019

  Dr. Camarda concludes his Senior Scientist position at PSI and ETH Zurich.

• 2015

  Dr. Camarda joins the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and ETH Zurich as a Senior Scientist.

• 2014

  Dr. Camarda concludes his time at CNR-IMM as a senior postdoc.

• 2006

  Dr. Massimo Camarda receives his Ph.D. degree in Physics at the University of Catania.

• 2006

  Dr. Camarda begins working at CNR-IMM, first as a postdoctoral researcher.

• 2002

  Dr. Massimo Camarda receives his Master's degree (cum laude) in Physics at the University of Catania.

Radiation-hard silicon carbide sensors and electronics for real-time process monitoring and control in synchrotron and XFEL beamlines.

• SiC BPM for white beams monitoring

  Non-fully intercepting SiC beam monitors for position, intensity and beam-shape diagnostics.

• SiC Blade BPM for white beams

  Radiation-hard blade monitors for white-beam position and current diagnostics.

• SiC Beamstopper-Integrated Sensor

  Radiation-hard beam interception with integrated intensity and position monitoring.

• SiC rXBPM – Spot-Size-Independent Beam Position Monitor

  Resistive free-standing SiC membrane monitor for real-time beam position and intensity control.

• SiC Free-Standing Membranes I₀ for Tender and Hard X-ray Beamlines

  Silicon Carbide X-ray Beam Intensity Monitors (XBIMs) for Hard and Tender X-rays.

• SiC Free-Standing Membrane XBPMs for Tender and Hard X-ray Beamlines

  Silicon Carbide X-ray beam position monitors (XBPMs) for real-time diagnostics of hard and tender X-rays.

• SenSiC PCR4 Picoammeter

  4-channel fast bipolar pico-to-milli ammeters with integrated voltage bias source, data elaboration and remote Ethernet control (EPICS or python based).

1. 1SenSiCsensic.ch
2. 2Products – SenSiCsensic.ch
3. 3About Us – SenSiCsensic.ch
4. 4SiC rXBPM – Spot-Size-Independent Beam Position Monitor – SenSiCsensic.ch
5. 5SenSiC GmbH (Switzerland)wikidata.org