In the long history of technological development, every major breakthrough in technology is like a shining star, illuminating the path forward for humanity. At the Photonics West conference in 2025, numerous breakthroughs in cutting-edge photonics technologies attracted the attention of the global academic and industrial communities. Several important technological advancements reported in this exhibition include single photon detectors, new photon integrated circuits, quantum optics, the application of photonics in biomedical fields, and new developments in laser processing technology.
The outstanding single photon detector and computational imaging technology
The single photon avalanche detector (SPAD) technology from Singular Photonics became a major highlight of this exhibition. Singular is a spin off of Professor Robert Henderson's laboratory, a pioneer in digital imaging at the University of Edinburgh in the UK, and one of the first companies to introduce advanced computing into SPAD image sensing.
The company has launched two new sensors - Andarta and Sirona. The former was developed in collaboration with tech giant Meta and can achieve deep blood flow monitoring on wearable devices. It has the characteristics of small size and high sensitivity. The latter is Singular's first product, a 512 pixel linear array sensor based on SPAD, capable of performing time-dependent single photon counting (TCSPC) and supporting Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), time-of-flight measurement, and quantum applications. With on-chip histograms and temporal grading capabilities, this SPAD sensor has the potential to revolutionize spectral applications.
Singular Single Photon Avalanche Detectors (SPADs)
The breakthrough of this technology lies in the use of pixel level computing, which involves data processing within the sensor, significantly improving detection efficiency and reducing signal noise. This progress not only promotes the development of single photon imaging technology, but also brings new possibilities to fields such as medical, biological imaging, and quantum communication.
Advanced photonic integrated circuit (PICs) technology
Photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technology is ushering in a new material revolution. The latest research shows that the introduction of thin film lithium niobate (TFLN), barium titanate (BTO), and organic materials significantly improves the bandwidth and energy efficiency of electro-optic modulators. Silicon on insulator (SOI) platforms are facing competition, and new platforms such as LNOI (lithium niobate insulator) and InP (indium phosphide) are gradually emerging.
In addition, it is expected that there will be a transformation of 200G per channel optical communication technology in 2026-2027 to meet the needs of AI computing clusters and cloud data centers. This will drive Ethernet interfaces with 3.2T and higher speeds, bringing higher performance of photonic chips, while also triggering higher requirements for new materials and manufacturing technologies.
Photon technology has become mainstream
Although photon technology has developed and applied to some extent, it is still in the initial exploration stage and has enormous potential. The scalable integration of micro optical components on chips is crucial for unlocking more advantages of photon quantum technology and driving industry transformation, and this process is full of challenges.
Professor Christine Silberhorn from the University of Paderborn in Germany said, "Currently, optical components have been successfully integrated into some systems. However, this work is like standing on the shoulders of giants to innovate, which is extremely challenging. On the one hand, it requires the use of high-quality devices, whose performance directly affects the stability and functionality of the entire system; on the other hand, it is also necessary to widely integrate rich and diverse quantum knowledge and cutting-edge concepts, and adaptively adjust and deeply develop them in a new parameter space to meet the complex needs of different application scenarios.
Professor Silberhorn has made outstanding contributions in the field of fundamental quantum photonics, conducting the world's first experimental demonstration on the coexistence of entangled states and non classical wave particle duality (known as Einstein Podolski Rosen states) in the wave properties of light (quantum correlations). In recent years, she has mainly developed practical and scalable integrated photon systems from three aspects. One is to focus on lithium niobate integrated devices, as their material properties are suitable for quantum photonics; The second is to use pulsed light pumped lithium niobate system, combined with ultrafast optics and integrated devices, which is of great significance for parametric down conversion sources. The team has developed related photon sources based on this.
The Application of Photonics in Biomedicine
At Photonics West, the application of photonics in the biomedical field has become a major focus, attracting the attention of numerous researchers, innovators, and business representatives from around the world. Of note are the new generation of photovoltaic retinal implants and a low-cost medical laser speckle imaging device.
Biomimetic retinal implant
A research team from Stanford University announced that they are developing a new generation of photovoltaic retinal implants to improve the visual recovery level of blind patients. The latest PRIMA implant has successfully helped patients with macular degeneration (AMD) restore partial vision and recognize basic information such as books and subway station names.
Currently, PRIMA implants with 100 μ m pixels can be upgraded to devices with 20 μ m pixels to improve visual resolution to 20/100 or even 20/40. This breakthrough means that there may be higher quality artificial vision devices in the future, allowing visually impaired individuals to have a visual experience closer to that of normal people.
Low cost medical laser imaging
A research team from the University of Washington has developed a portable, low-cost Laser Speckle Imaging (LSFI) device for early detection of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). The device only costs $150 and uses Raspberry Pi computing modules for data processing, which not only significantly reduces the cost of traditional imaging equipment, but also promotes its application in underdeveloped areas.
The breakthrough of this technology lies in its wireless, portable, and non consumable materials, and has demonstrated high-precision blood flow monitoring capabilities in animal models and clinical trials. In the future, with the advancement of its commercial production and regulatory approval, this device is expected to become an important tool in the global healthcare system.
New methods of optogenetics
Optogenetics is an emerging discipline that combines optical and genetic techniques, characterized by remote invisibility, spatiotemporal specificity, adjustability, and reversibility. At present, it is widely used in biological basic research, such as controlling and regulating the transcriptional activity of genome, recombination signal pathway, controlling the activity of nuclease. In addition, it is also widely used in the field of life medicine, such as the treatment of diabetes, tumor treatment, etc.
At the Photonics West 2025 Neurotechnology Conference, Dr. Ofer Yizhar shared an innovative optical technology they have developed, which uses a photosensitive protein called G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) (also known as opsin) to modify neurons in a different way. Unlike traditional channel based optogenetic tools, the GPCR pathway can continue to operate even after light is turned off, producing long-lasting effects and requiring about four orders of magnitude less light (ten thousand times less) than traditional "channel" methods.
It is reported that this achievement began development at the Weizmann Institute of Science in 2016 and has been proven effective in mice. In 2023, we collaborated with the Mayo Clinic to successfully stop epileptic seizures in pigs induced by anesthesia. He expects that the research will make further progress in the next decade and is expected to receive regulatory approval. Meanwhile, in 2022, he co founded the startup company Modulaight.bio with the aim of commercializing this technology for the treatment of neurological disorders, bringing new hope to numerous patients suffering from pain and suffering.
The birth of the world's highest brightness level blue laser
With the recent acceleration of the transition to electric vehicles, the demand for more advanced copper material processing is rapidly increasing, which means that improving laser processing technology is crucial. High power near-infrared (NIR) fiber lasers are widely used in metal laser processing due to their high electro-optical conversion efficiency and excellent beam quality. However, using near-infrared fiber lasers for copper welding is difficult because copper has low absorption in the near-infrared range and high thermal conductivity, which can cause rapid heat diffusion at the welding point.
Recently, Nichia and Furukawa Electric in Japan have made significant progress in the field of blue light laser diodes. They have jointly developed a new 800 W blue light laser diode module and successfully developed a new 5 kW blue light laser, achieving the world's highest brightness level in fiber output. This laser can reduce copper welding time by two-thirds, shorten motor enameled wire processing time by 20%, and achieve splash free welding.
In addition, laser processing technology has shown great potential in glass micro hole drilling, AI chip packaging, and quantum computing optical device manufacturing, providing new possibilities for future high-precision manufacturing.
Summary
These technological advancements not only drive academic research, but also promote industrial applications, and are expected to have a profound impact on fields such as information and communication, life sciences, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing in the coming years. As more technology moves from the laboratory to the market, we are ushering in a new era driven by photon technology.
Source: Yangtze River Delta Laser Alliance
