New Laser Architecture Makes The Leap Out Of The Lab

Open Space Optics New Laser Architecture Makes The Leap Out Of The Lab

2026-04-17 From Hendrik Härter 2 min Reading Time

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The start-up Vector Photonics and Fraunhofer UK have achieved a breakthrough in optoelectronics: For the first time, PCSEL technology for optical free-space communication has been successfully tested under real environmental conditions. Expensive beam-shaping optics become superfluous.

Dr. Richard Taylor, CEO and founder of Vector Photonics, with the PCSEL and the optical communication system during the successful demonstration across the River Clyde.(Image: Vector Photonics) — Dr. Richard Taylor, CEO and founder of Vector Photonics, with the PCSEL and the optical communication system during the successful demonstration across the River Clyde.
(Image: Vector Photonics)

A promising new laser source is on the horizon for developers of free-space optical communication (FSO) systems. The Scottish start-up Vector Photonics, in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Center for Applied Photonics (Fraunhofer CAP), has succeeded in using so-called Photonic Crystal Surface Emitting Lasers (PCSEL) for data transmission outside the laboratory for the first time.

During the field test in Glasgow, a data connection was established over a distance of 1,640 feet across the River Clyde. Data was transmitted at 50 MBit/s. The error rate was well below the usual threshold values for forward error correction (FEC). The optical system for this was designed and constructed by Fraunhofer CAP.

According to Dr. Richard Taylor, CEO of Vector Photonics, this test raises the technology from a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4/5 to 6/7. The reason: the system was able to prove that it also works reliably under real environmental conditions such as temperature fluctuations, wind turbulence and precipitation. Previous tests were limited to ideal laboratory conditions and simulations.

What is PCSEL?

A photonic crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL) is a semiconductor laser diode in which a two-dimensional photonic crystal structure is directly integrated. This photonic crystal acts as a resonator. The physical principle behind it is based on the diffraction of light within the periodic crystal structure.
This architecture makes it possible to emit the light perfectly perpendicular to the chip surface (surface emission), and with a comparatively large surface area. The result is a coherent, extremely narrow-band single-mode beam with very high power, low divergence and excellent beam quality. Another advantage for developers is that the wavelength and beam profile can be precisely tailored thanks to the design of the photonic crystal.

Why PCSEL Is Interesting For System Development

PCSELs are highly interesting for optoelectronics practice as they combine the advantages of two established laser types at chip level: they offer the high optical power of edge emitting lasers (EELs) coupled with the high modulation speed and pure surface emission of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs).

For FSO applications, they offer a decisive system advantage at board level: PCSELs emit narrow, extremely bright beams with excellent beam quality and very low divergence, which minimizes signal loss over long distances. As they combine surface emission with a coherent single-mode output, efficient coupling into free-space optics is possible without the need to integrate complex and cost-intensive beam-shaping optical elements into the system.

High Scaling Potential

Although the 50 MBit/s achieved in the test already exceeded the specifications of the specific experiment, the naturally achievable data rate of PCSELs is significantly higher, according to the developers. Vector Photonics sees the technology as the basis for next-generation compact FSO systems. Areas of application include fast, wireless broadband connections between buildings or in satellite communication.

As the wavelength of PCSEL technology can be adapted extremely flexibly from the UV to the far infrared range, the company is also targeting long-term use in optical interconnects for AI data centers, high-resolution lidar systems and additive manufacturing. (heh)

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