Vector Photonics PCSEL Surface-Emitting Lasers

Vector Photonics is a Scottish start-up incorporated in Glasgow in 2020 and born from research at the University of Glasgow. It is based at the West of Scotland Science Park and develops photonic crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs), a new class of semiconductor laser that aims to be brighter, easier to integrate and cheaper to make than conventional edge-emitting lasers.

PCSELs emit a narrow, high-brightness, single-mode beam with low divergence and scalable power, across wavelengths from ultraviolet to far infrared. The company runs funded programmes on 1310 nm PCSELs for low-power data centre links (TITAN), 1030 nm high-power PCSELs for 3D metal printing (BLOODLINE) and a 1 W PCSEL (ZEUS). It works with industrial partners on lidar, sensing and free-space optical communication.

• PCSEL platform: photonic-crystal surface-emitting lasers from ultraviolet to far infrared.
• Single-mode output: coherent, low-divergence and narrow high-brightness beams.
• Data centre lasers: 1310 nm continuous-wave PCSELs for low-power interconnects.
• High-power lasers: 1030 nm PCSELs for metal additive manufacturing.
• Free-space optics: field-proven links demonstrated with Fraunhofer UK in 2026.
• In-house life testing: reliability testing of high-power PCSELs funded by the LIFT grant.

Optical module makers in Vietnam can evaluate 1310 nm PCSELs for low-power transceivers through R&D collaboration. Industrial laser and 3D metal printing equipment builders can test high-power PCSELs. Telecom and campus network operators can pilot free-space optical links between buildings.

PCSELs offer narrow, high-brightness beams that reduce the need for complex beam-shaping optics. The company states its 1310 nm PCSEL needs about half the electrical power of incumbent lasers for equivalent data centre performance and has reached a 40 dB side-mode suppression ratio. Surface emission makes the lasers easier to integrate into electronics and industrial equipment.

AI data centres need lower-power optical links, while metal 3D printing, lidar and free-space optical communication need bright, compact laser sources. Governments in the UK and Asia are funding compound semiconductor supply chains. Southeast Asian electronics and optical module manufacturing creates potential demand for new laser sources.

Incorporated in Glasgow, Scotland in 2020; based at the West of Scotland Science Park. Founder and CEO is Dr Richard Taylor. Won the University of Glasgow Champion Spin-out Award in March 2026. Leads the £1.5m BLOODLINE consortium and runs the £600k TITAN and £1m ZEUS projects. Technology readiness described by the company as TRL 6/7.