Enabling 2µm-Band Infrared Laser Generation
Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM), in collaboration with the Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study, has achieved laser oscillation in a 2µm-band infrared photonic crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL). This will enable the miniaturisation of next-generation sensing systems while maintaining PCSEL’s high directionality and narrow spectral bandwidth
PCSEL technology was invented by a research team at Kyoto University led by professor Susumu Noda. Compared with conventional lasers, it offers greater functionality in a compact device. With increased demand for higher-brightness, narrow-linewidth light sources for applications such as biomolecule sensing and breath gas analysis, there is a strong need for small, mass-producible infrared lasers. AKM and Kyoto University have collaborated to optimise the light-source structure, culminating in laser oscillation at 2µm using a PCSEL.
This achievement in PCSEL technology is well-suited to high-sensitivity greenhouse gas detection, as the 2µm wavelength band includes absorption lines of gases such as CO2 and CH4. By combining this property with the high directionality and narrow linewidth of PCSEL, applications are expected in fields that demand high-precision measurement of trace gases.
“These advancements demonstrate the strong potential of PCSEL for applications requiring high power and precise optical control,” said Yoshinobu Fujimoto, general manager of R&D at AKM’s Business Development Centre. “By combining AKM’s technological background with the expertise of Professor Susumu Noda and his team at Kyoto University, we are unlocking new performance capabilities that could benefit a wide range of applications.”
AKM plans to accelerate research and development of 2µm-band PCSEL technology with a focus on manufacturability and advanced photonic crystal designs. The research results related to this technology were presented at the Spring Meeting of the Japan Society of Applied Physics in March 2026.
