VCSELs photonics: fifty years of innovation toward energy-efficient photonic systems for AI datacenters
Fumio Koyama, Institute of Science Tokyo (Japan)
Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) have evolved in the past five decades from laboratory experiments into a foundational technology for advanced photonic systems. This keynote begins with a brief historical overview of VCSEL development, highlighting key breakthroughs in device physics, materials, and cavity engineering that have enabled their widespread adoption. The talk then focuses on recent advances in low-power, high-speed VCSEL arrays, emphasizing coupled-cavity designs, metal-aperture structures, and large-scale array integration for energy-efficient operation at data rates exceeding 100 Gbaud per lane. The role of VCSEL-based transceivers in next-generation co-packaged optics (CPO) and linear-drive optics (LPO) is discussed, with particular attention to their impact on energy-efficient AI computing and datacenter networks. By connecting historical insights with emerging system-level requirements, this keynote aims to frame the opportunities and challenges shaping the next era of VCSEL-enabled photonic platforms.
Fumio Koyama received the Ph.D. degree from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1985. He is a specially appointed professor/professor emeritus of Institute of Science Tokyo (formerly Tokyo Institute of Technology). His research interest includes VCSEL photonics, photonic integrated devices, optical sensing. He received various awards, including IEE Electronics Letters Premium in 1985 and in 1988, Prize for Science and Technology from MEXT in 2007, IEEE/LEOS William Streifer Award in 2008, Izuo Hayashi Award in 2012, Okawa Prize in 2018, OSA Nick Holonyak Jr. Award in 2019, Hirose Prize in 2024, IEEE Nick Holonyak, Jr. Medal for Semiconductor Optoelectronic Technologies in 2024 and Dark Blue Ribbon Medal from Japanese government in 2025. He is Life Fellow of IEEE & Optica, Fellow of IEICE and JSAP. He was elected as the US NAE international member in 2025.
This keynote is part of the Reconfigurable Photonic Computing and Heterogeneous Architectures for AI and RF Defense Systems conference.
Event Details
FORMAT: Presentation followed by audience Q&A.MENU: Coffee, decaf, and tea will be available at the coffee service stations during published times.
SETUP: Classroom and theater style seating.