Vector Photonics touts new investment, PCSEL performance

April 15, 2021
Vector Photonics, a spin out of the University of Glasgow, says that PCSELs can benefit a variety of applications, from data center networks to additive manufacturing, including metal and plastic printing; LiDAR; and optical sensing.

Laser startup Vector Photonics reveals it has received £1.6 million ($2.2 million) of new equity investment that will go toward the commercialization of its Photonic Crystal Surface Emitting Lasers (PCSELs). The company also delivered a paper this week at the Compound Semiconductor International Virtual Conference that described results of a demonstration that Vector Photonics asserts backs its assertion that PCSELs outperform conventional VCSELs and edge-emitting lasers (EELs).

According to the company, PCSELs are based on a 2D grating structure (the “photonic crystal”) that scatters light linearly and orthogonally. The laser feedback is in-plane and light emission is out of plane and emanates from the laser’s top surface, as do VCSELs. This combination is unique to PCSELs, Vector Photonics says, and leads to significant advantages in data rate, wavelength, and power performance. PCSELs also can be manufactured in a manner similar to EELs, the company adds (see Startup Vector Photonics touts potential of Photonic Crystal Surface Emitting Lasers for more).

Vector Photonics, a spin out of the University of Glasgow, says that PCSELs can benefit a variety of applications, from data center networks to additive manufacturing, including metal and plastic printing; LiDAR; and optical sensing. The new funding comes from three specialist funding companies: Foresight, the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), and Equity Gap. In combination with government grants of £2.4 million ($3.3 million) received previously, Vector Photonics has now raised £4 million ($5.5 million).

“Each investment company adds its own unique value to our business and will have board representation,” commented Neil Martin, CEO of Vector Photonics. “Foresight invests in high growth-potential companies with innovative and transformational technologies via the Foresight Scottish Growth Fund and Foresight Williams, a joint venture with Williams Advanced Engineering. UKI2S is a specialist deep-tech seed fund focused on spin outs from the UK’s research base. Equity Gap is an angel investment syndicate, investing early in new technology businesses throughout Scotland.”

PCSELs are really fast

Meanwhile, Dr. David Childs, director of product development at Vector Photonics, delivered on April 12 the results of a technology demonstration that marked the first speed measurement of a PCSEL. Dr. Childs reported that the PCSEL exhibited speeds that align with the company’s device modelling. Vector Photonics says that PCSELs have the potential to be more than 2X faster than a VCSEL equivalent and 3X faster than a DFB laser equivalent.

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About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.

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