Gallium Nitride VCSEL Developer Inks Deal to Continue Joint Venture

Ganvix Inc., a Delaware-based developer of gallium nitride (GaN) VCSELs, working with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), a technology R&D institution based in Taiwan, completed development of its first blue GaN lasers. Upon the development, Ganvix signed a phase II agreement to extend its relationship with ITRI.

VCSELs based on gallium arsenide (GaAs) that operate in the infrared are one of the fastest-growing technologies in electro-optics. However, GaAs cannot emit light in the ultraviolet (UV) or visible (blue and green) wavelengths. GaN is required for these applications.

Prior to Ganvix’s development, according to the company, a commercially viable solution to form the laser cavity mirrors had yet to emerge.

The company used nanoporous technology — developed by professor Jung Han at Yale University and exclusively licensed by Ganvix — to engineer the optical properties of GaN. Using the nanoporous technology, the company fabricated VCSELs entirely from high-quality, epitaxially grown GaN without introducing crystalline defects or lattice mismatch. The subwavelength nanopores result in a GaN/air nanocomposite, which has a tunable refractive index facilitating formation of high reflectivity of greater than 99.9% distributed Bragg reflectors.

The results, according to the company, are compact, lightweight blue/green/UV VCSELs that produce superior wavelength control, smaller spot size, and array architectures that support numerous applications.

The next phase of development under the agreement will include expanding the wavelength range within the visible portion of the spectrum from blue to green; qualification testing (of environmental and lifetime testing); and packaging of discreet lasers and laser arrays.

Target markets include consumer electronics, industrial, medical and life sciences, communications, and metaverse applications such as augmented reality. Near-term applications include RGB VCSEL light engines for laser scanning displays, lasers, and laser arrays for free space and polymer fiber-based communications.

According to Shih- Chieh Chang, ITRI general director of electronic and optoelectronic system research laboratories, three-primary-color VCSELs will play a key role in future metaverse applications.

“We are very happy to continue to deepen the cooperation with Ganvix and launch commercialized products, which can also drive Taiwanese industries to enter the metaverse market,” Chang said.