"Five Full HD Movies in One Second" ETRI Develops 200Gbps-Class Photodetector

A photodetector device capable of transmitting five Full HD movies in just one second has been developed. This technology is expected to be applicable to ultra-large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) data centers as well as 5G and 6G mobile communication infrastructure.

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced on March 19 that it has developed a photodetector device capable of processing optical signals at a rate of 200 Gbps per channel.

(from left) Dr. Shinmo Ahn, Dr. Youngtak Han, Dr. Deokjun Kim. Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI)

A photodetector is a core semiconductor component that converts optical signals into electrical signals. It is considered an essential element that determines the data reception performance of data centers and communication networks.

Notably, a 200 Gbps-class photodetector chip is classified as a highly advanced technology that only a few companies worldwide are able to develop. ETRI succeeded in securing core original technology based on its indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) photodetector technology and compound semiconductor foundry operation experience. This achievement is expected to reduce reliance on overseas imports and lay a foundation for strengthening the competitiveness of Korea’s optical component and parts industry.

It is also noteworthy that the device achieves both a bandwidth exceeding 70 GHz and a high optical responsivity of over 0.75 A/W. Above all, it is significant that the entire process from design to fabrication was accomplished solely using domestic technology.

The adoption of a "backside lens-integrated structure," in which a convex lens made of indium phosphide (InP) is monolithically integrated on the back side of the chip, enhances both optical reception efficiency and alignment convenience. This structure eliminates the need for a separate photo-receiving lens component, thereby simplifying packaging and reducing the manufacturing cost of optical modules.

According to ETRI, this makes it more advantageous to secure price competitiveness in the next-generation 800 Gbps and 1.6 Tbps optical module markets. Market research firm LightCounting forecasts that the global optical transceiver market will grow more than threefold, from $6 billion in 2019 to $18 billion this year.

ETRI’s photodetector device is expected to be applied to the optical transceiver receiver units for internal networks in future AI data centers. While the performance of commonly used photodetector devices in data centers is typically around 112 Gbps per channel, ETRI’s new photodetector device can process optical signals at up to 224 Gbps per channel, doubling data processing capacity compared to existing solutions—a significant advantage.

Kwon Yonghwan, Head of the Optical Wireless Research Division at ETRI, stated, "We have developed, for the first time in Korea, core photodetector device technology applicable to AI data centers and the 5G and 6G markets. We expect this achievement to further enhance the competitiveness of the domestic optical component industry."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.