TDK demonstrates the world's first "Spin Photo Detector" capable of 10X data transmission speeds for the next generation of AI
TDK (TSE: 6762) has developed the world's first 'Spin Photo Detector,' a groundbreaking photo-spintronic conversion element that achieves 10X faster data transmission speeds compared to conventional semiconductor-based photo detectors. The device responds at an ultra-high speed of 20 picoseconds using 800 nm wavelength light.
Key features include:
- Operates from visible light to near-infrared light range
- Built using magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) technology
- Can be formed on any substrate material
- Strong cosmic-ray resistance
The technology aims to enhance data processing speed and reduce power consumption for AI applications, particularly in data centers and optical communications. The innovation also shows promise for AR/VR smart glasses and high-speed image sensors. The development was successfully demonstrated in collaboration with Nihon University in Japan.
TDK (TSE: 6762) ha sviluppato il primo al mondo 'Spin Photo Detector', un elemento innovativo di conversione foto-spintronica che raggiunge velocità di trasmissione dati 10 volte superiori rispetto ai tradizionali fotodetettori a semiconduttore. Il dispositivo risponde a una velocità ultra-elevata di 20 picosecondi utilizzando luce con lunghezza d'onda di 800 nm.
Caratteristiche principali:
- Funziona dalla luce visibile fino alla luce nel vicino infrarosso
- Realizzato con tecnologia di giunzione tunnel magnetica (MTJ)
- Può essere prodotto su qualsiasi materiale di substrato
- Elevata resistenza ai raggi cosmici
Questa tecnologia mira a migliorare la velocità di elaborazione dati e a ridurre il consumo energetico nelle applicazioni di intelligenza artificiale, in particolare nei data center e nelle comunicazioni ottiche. L’innovazione promette inoltre applicazioni per occhiali smart AR/VR e sensori di immagini ad alta velocità. Lo sviluppo è stato dimostrato con successo in collaborazione con la Nihon University in Giappone.
TDK (TSE: 6762) ha desarrollado el primer 'Spin Photo Detector' del mundo, un innovador elemento de conversión foto-espintrónica que logra velocidades de transmisión de datos 10 veces más rápidas en comparación con los fotodetectores convencionales basados en semiconductores. El dispositivo responde a una velocidad ultraalta de 20 picosegundos utilizando luz de longitud de onda de 800 nm.
Características clave:
- Opera desde luz visible hasta el rango de luz infrarroja cercana
- Construido con tecnología de unión túnel magnética (MTJ)
- Puede fabricarse sobre cualquier material de sustrato
- Alta resistencia a los rayos cósmicos
La tecnología busca mejorar la velocidad de procesamiento de datos y reducir el consumo energético en aplicaciones de inteligencia artificial, especialmente en centros de datos y comunicaciones ópticas. La innovación también muestra potencial para gafas inteligentes AR/VR y sensores de imagen de alta velocidad. El desarrollo fue demostrado con éxito en colaboración con la Universidad Nihon en Japón.
TDK (TSE: 6762)는 세계 최초의 '스핀 포토 디텍터'를 개발했습니다. 이 획기적인 광스핀트로닉 변환 소자는 기존 반도체 기반 광검출기에 비해 10배 빠른 데이터 전송 속도를 구현합니다. 이 장치는 800nm 파장의 빛을 사용하여 20피코초의 초고속 응답 속도를 자랑합니다.
주요 특징:
- 가시광선부터 근적외선 범위까지 작동
- 자기 터널 접합(MTJ) 기술로 제작
- 어떤 기판 소재에도 형성 가능
- 강력한 우주선 저항성
이 기술은 특히 데이터 센터와 광통신 분야에서 AI 애플리케이션의 데이터 처리 속도를 향상시키고 전력 소비를 줄이는 것을 목표로 합니다. 또한 AR/VR 스마트 글래스와 고속 이미지 센서에도 활용 가능성이 큽니다. 이 개발은 일본 니혼 대학과의 협력으로 성공적으로 시연되었습니다.
TDK (TSE : 6762) a développé le premier « Spin Photo Detector » au monde, un élément révolutionnaire de conversion photo-spintronic qui atteint des vitesses de transmission de données 10 fois plus rapides que les photodétecteurs traditionnels à base de semi-conducteurs. Le dispositif répond à une vitesse ultra-rapide de 20 picosecondes en utilisant une lumière de longueur d’onde 800 nm.
Caractéristiques clés :
- Fonctionne de la lumière visible à la lumière proche infrarouge
- Construit avec la technologie de jonction tunnel magnétique (MTJ)
- Peut être fabriqué sur n’importe quel matériau de substrat
- Forte résistance aux rayons cosmiques
Cette technologie vise à améliorer la vitesse de traitement des données et à réduire la consommation d’énergie pour les applications d’IA, notamment dans les centres de données et les communications optiques. L’innovation montre également un potentiel pour les lunettes intelligentes AR/VR et les capteurs d’images à haute vitesse. Le développement a été démontré avec succès en collaboration avec l’Université Nihon au Japon.
TDK (TSE: 6762) hat den weltweit ersten 'Spin Photo Detector' entwickelt, ein bahnbrechendes foto-spintronic Konversionselement, das 10-mal schnellere Datenübertragungsgeschwindigkeiten im Vergleich zu herkömmlichen halbleiterbasierten Fotodetektoren erreicht. Das Gerät reagiert mit einer ultraschnellen Geschwindigkeit von 20 Pikosekunden bei 800 nm Wellenlänge Licht.
Wichtige Merkmale:
- Funktioniert im Bereich von sichtbarem bis nahinfrarotem Licht
- Hergestellt mit Magnet-Tunnel-Junction (MTJ) Technologie
- Kann auf jedem Substratmaterial gefertigt werden
- Hohe kosmische Strahlenresistenz
Die Technologie zielt darauf ab, die Datenverarbeitungsgeschwindigkeit zu erhöhen und den Energieverbrauch bei KI-Anwendungen, insbesondere in Rechenzentren und optischer Kommunikation, zu reduzieren. Die Innovation zeigt auch Potenzial für AR/VR-Smartbrillen und Hochgeschwindigkeits-Bildsensoren. Die Entwicklung wurde erfolgreich in Zusammenarbeit mit der Nihon Universität in Japan demonstriert.
- Revolutionary 10X faster data transmission speed capability
- Wide application potential in growing markets (AI, AR/VR, data centers)
- Superior technical advantages over conventional technology
- Strong cosmic-ray resistance enabling aerospace applications
- Technology still in early development phase
- Commercial implementation timeline not specified
- No specific revenue projections or market size estimates provided
- A photo-spintronic conversion element capable of responding at ultra-high speeds of 20 picoseconds using light with 800 nm wavelengths, 10X faster than conventional semiconductor-based photo detectors
- Concepted and developed by TDK, the magnetic device can detect both near-infrared and visible light
- Successfully demonstrated operation in collaboration with Nihon University in
Japan , known for fundamental physics research - It can be applied to photoelectronic conversion technology, which is expected to improve data processing speed and reduce power consumption, both critical for further AI evolution
Transferring mass amounts of data at higher speeds and with lower power consumption is an inevitable need as AI evolves. To process data and make calculations, data is currently transferred between CPU/GPU chips as well as from and to memory by electrical signals. Therefore, there is an increasing need for optical communication and optical interconnects, which offer high speeds that do not decrease with interconnect distance. Photoelectronic conversion technology is also gaining global interest as a very compact fusion of both optical and electronic elements.
To address these challenges, TDK adapted its magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) technology, which is currently used in billions of HDD heads, for photonics. One of the major advantages of this technology is that it does not require crystal growth using a single crystal substrate, and the device can be formed regardless of the substrate material. Comparatively, conventional semiconductor-based photo detectors have physical limitations at shorter wavelengths. Because the Spin Photo Detector has a completely different operating principle and uses an electron heating phenomenon, it can operate at ultra-high speeds even when the wavelength is shortened [1]. In addition, the operating wavelength range is wide, and it has been confirmed that it can operate from visible light to near-infrared light. TDK has successfully demonstrated the Spin Photo Detector with Nihon University in
Additionally, with the ability to detect visible light at high speeds, the spin photo detector will be useful in applications projected for future growth, such as devices for AR/VR smart glasses ([2], [3]) and high-speed image sensors. While conventional semiconductor photo-sensing devices have weak cosmic-ray resistance, MTJ elements are also known for their strong cosmic-ray resistance and are expected to be used as light-detecting elements in aerospace applications. In the future, based on these results, TDK will improve the perfection of the high-speed light detection element to further pursue its usefulness.
* As of April 2025, according to TDK research
[1] J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 58 06LT01 (2025), "Spin photo detector by using a CoFeB magnetic tunnel junction"
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1361-6463/ad9284/meta
[2] https://www.tdk.com/en/news_center/press/20221013_01.html
[3] https://www.tdk.com/en/news_center/press/20241009_01.html
Glossary
- AI: Artificial intelligence
- Photoelectric conversion: A technology that combines optical and electronic elements
- Photo-spintronic conversion: A term coined by TDK that combines optical, electronic, and magnetic elements
- HDD: Hard disk drive
- CPU: Central processing unit
- GPU: Graphics processing unit
- Spin: a fundamental property of particles, like electrons, that describes a type of intrinsic rotation
- MTJ: Magnetic tunnel junction
- AR: Augmented reality
- VR: Virtual reality
Main applications
- Photodetectors for optical communication, optical interconnect for data centers and generative AI
- Photodetectors for AR/VR
Main features and benefits
- Optical detection is achieved using MTJ elements, which are magnetic elements, while conventional light detection elements are semiconductor elements
- Ultra-fast light detection
- Ultra-fast light detection in a wide wavelength range, from near-infrared light to visible light
- Can be created on any board and on a variety of devices
- Can be applied in fields such as data centers, optical communication and interconnect for generative AI, and AR/VR
About TDK Corporation
TDK Corporation is a world leader in electronic solutions for the smart society based in
You can download this text and associated images from https://www.tdk.com/en/news_center/press/20250415_01.html
Further information on the technologies can be found under https://www.tdk.com/en/about_tdk/innovation/spin-photo-detector/index.html
Contacts for regional media
Region | Contact | Phone | |||
Global | Mr. Tomohiro KANNO | TDK Corporation | +813 6778-1055 | TDK.PR@tdk.com |
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SOURCE TDK
FAQ
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