ETRI develops korea’s first 200Gbps photodetector

Korean researchers have developed, for the first time in Korea, a 200Gbps-class photodetector device that can be used in hyperscale AI data centers and 5G/6G mobile communications infrastructure. This technology enables ultrahigh-speed data reception at a level capable of transmitting five 5GB full HD movies per second.

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced that it has developed a photodetector device capable of processing 200Gbps-class optical signals per channel. A photodetector is a key semiconductor component that converts optical signals into electrical signals and is an essential element that determines data reception performance in data centers and communication networks.

The photodetector device developed by the researchers simultaneously achieved a bandwidth of 70GHz or higher and high responsivity of 0.75A/W or greater, and measures 0.5mm × 0.4mm. In particular, by applying a “rear-lens integrated structure” that monolithically integrates a convex lens made of indium phosphide (InP) on the back of the chip, optical reception efficiency and alignment convenience have been significantly improved. It is also meaningful that the entire process, from design to fabrication, was implemented using purely domestic technology.

The device is expected to be applied in the receiver section of optical transceivers for internal AI data center networks in the future. In data center tower racks, linecards carry many optical transceivers, making the performance and cost efficiency of key components important.

ETRI's rear-lens integrated structure does not require separate light-receiving lens components, which can simplify packaging and is expected to reduce costs when manufacturing 800Gbps and 1.6Tbps optical modules.

Photodetectors device widely used in data centers typically offer data rates of about 112Gbps per channel. Through this technology development, ETRI made it possible to process optical signals of up to 224Gbps per channel, improving data processing capacity by about two times compared with existing levels.

With the recent spread of AI, cloud, OTT, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) services driving a surge in data traffic, the importance of securing ultrahigh-speed, high-capacity optical device technology is growing even more.

200Gbps-class photodetector chips are a highly advanced technology that only a small number of companies worldwide can develop. Based on indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) photodetector technology and experience in operating a compound semiconductor foundry, ETRI succeeded in securing core source technologies.

This is expected to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and strengthen the competitiveness of Korea's optical device and components industry. In addition, the monolithic rear-lens integrated structure is expected to help secure price competitiveness in the next-generation 800Gbps and 1.6Tbps optical module market.

Kwon Yong Hwan, Assistant Vice President of ETRI's Photonic/Wireless Devices Research Division, said, “By developing, for the first time in Korea, core photodetector device technology applicable to the fast-growing AI data center and 5G/6G markets, we are now able to contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of Korea's optical components industry.”

Han Young Tak, Principal Researcher at ETRI's Optical Communication Components Research Section, also explained, “The key to this achievement was securing both core source technologies and stable foundry operation capabilities in the field of compound opto-semiconductors, which is highly sensitive to process variables.”

ETRI has filed domestic and international patents related to this technology and completed the transfer of the technology to Wooriro Co., Ltd., a Korean optical components company. It plans to actively support industrial application and commercialization so that it can compete with global companies in the future AI data center and 5G/6G communications markets.

According to market research firm LightCounting, the global optical transceiver market is projected to grow more than threefold, from USD 6 billion in 2019 to USD 18 billion in 2026.

The results of this study were presented at OECC 2025, the largest optical communications conference in the Asia-Pacific region held in Sapporo, Japan, and were recently published in the prestigious international journal Optics Express.

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This research was conducted through the “Development of Optical Device Component Technology for 1.6Tbps Optical Transceivers for Intra-DC Communications” project supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP).

About Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI)

ETRI is a non-profit government-funded research institute. Since its foundation in 1976, ETRI, a global ICT research institute, has been making its immense effort to provide Korea a remarkable growth in the field of ICT industry. ETRI delivers Korea as one of the top ICT nations in the World, by unceasingly developing world’s first and best technologies.