Asahi Kasei Microdevices PCSEL Breakthrough

Asahi Kasei — Asahi Kasei Microdevices, in collaboration with Kyoto University, has successfully achieved laser oscillation in a 2 µm-band infrared photonic crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL). This advancement, building on PCSEL technology originally invented by Professor Susumu Noda's team at Kyoto University, will enable the miniaturization of next-generation sensing systems while maintaining high directionality and narrow spectral bandwidth. The technology is particularly well-suited for high-sensitivity greenhouse gas detection, including CO2 and CH4, due to the 2 µm wavelength band's absorption lines. Asahi Kasei — Asahi Kasei Microdevices plans to accelerate research and development of this technology, focusing on manufacturability and advanced photonic crystal designs. The research results were presented at the Spring Meeting of the Japan Society of Applied Physics in March 2026.