Novel Semiconductor Lasers for the Industrial Quantum Leap

Introduction

Vexlum has developed a laser architecture for a high-power low-noise laser using a vertically integrated manufacturing process. The application of Vexlum’s laser to atomic-based quantum systems exploits vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL) with a quantum-well gain medium that is optically pumped and can include an intra-cavity doubling element.

Historical Context

Historically, achieving high powers in atomic systems required amplifying and frequency-doubling external cavity diode lasers, frequency-doubled fiber lasers, or Ti:Sapphire lasers, all of which have drawbacks.

Current Status

Vexlum lasers are regarded as potentially disruptive technologies and have been validated in key quantum system experiments by early technology adopters, yet they remain largely confined to research labs.

Funding and Market Strategy

The EIC Accelerator grant will allow us to address the industrial quantum technologies market by overcoming challenges identified by the early version products, for example, related to standardized volume production and operational lifetime.

Go-to-Market Strategy

Our go-to-market strategy for industrial quantum systems is based on:

1. Redesigning and developing the production chain from wafer level to semiconductor gain chip.
2. System developments with refined laser features.

To this end, we focus resources on fast-tracking the development of the technology needed to reach the reliability and SWAP-C expectations of high TRL markets engaging advanced manufacturing processes based on automation routines.

Future Goals

These capabilities would allow us to maintain our customer focus and quality while we scale up into a business growth phase.

Broader Vision

In a broad perspective, we aim to secure the full-scale development value chain of advanced lasers for quantum systems, capitalizing on vertical integration of semiconductor manufacturing processes from wafer design and epitaxy to system-level assembly and testing.