Accelerating the Practical Application of World-First "Ultra-Compact High-Peak Laser" Technology
TOKYO, Japan, - April 20, 2026 - Silicon Catalyst Japan K.K. (hereinafter "SCJ"), Japan's only incubator and accelerator dedicated to semiconductor and deep-tech startups, has selected SCALE photonics Inc. (hereinafter "SCALE photonics") as the first project for both its incubation program and its affiliated investment fund. SCJ has supported the spin-off of SCALE photonics from the Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group and has decided to execute an investment to continue driving its commercialization.The "ultra-compact high-peak laser" developed by SCALE photonics is a revolutionary technology that marks the world's first integration of light-emitting semiconductor materials and power-generating solid-state laser materials on a single chip. Despite its extremely small size of 1mm³—roughly the size of a grain of salt—it boasts an ultra-high peak output of 57.0 kW, which is hundreds of times greater than conventional chips of the same size.
Previously, high-power lasers required large devices composed of numerous precision optical components that had to be manually assembled by skilled technicians. SCALE photonics' "ultra-compact high-peak laser" breaks this trade-off between size and output, evolving into a low-cost, chip-scale laser capable of wafer-level mass production.
SCJ recognized the immense potential of this laser technology, cultivated over many years within the Sony Group, and has been incubating the establishment of this independent startup to accelerate its path to market. This decision marks a significant milestone in SCJ's business model, acting as a "catalyst" to lead strategic technological assets dormant within large Japanese corporations toward rapid social implementation. Starting with this first incubation and investment project, SCJ aims to establish Japan’s industrial advantage and lead the creation of new markets by consistently bringing disruptive innovations to the global stage.
Comment from Masanao Kamata,Ph.D. President & CEO of SCALE photonics:
"Since the laser's invention in 1960, light has supported human progress across science, industry, and medicine. However, a long-standing dilemma existed: semiconductor lasers, while compact and mass-producible, had limited power, whereas solid-state lasers could achieve high output but were difficult to downsize. With our unique 'ultra-compact high-peak laser' technology that defies this conventional wisdom, we will significantly contribute to previously difficult-to-realize applications, including high-precision physical sensing for Physical AI".
Comment from Kay Enjoji, President of Silicon Catalyst Japan:
"As Japan's only incubator and accelerator accelerating innovative semiconductor and deep-tech technologies toward commercialization, SCJ has selected this historic project as our first case and decided on a support package including investment. The 'ultra-compact high-peak laser' born from the Sony Group is a world-class asset that breaks decades of technological stagnation. By injecting our global ecosystem, we will bring this innovative technology to society as quickly as possible".
Comment from Kosuke Kiyotsune, Partner, Silicon Catalyst Japan fund
We are very pleased to have decided on this investment as the first project for the Silicon Catalyst Japan fund. Serving as a model case for our fund, we will provide our full support to ensure that Japan's exceptional cutting-edge technologies are recognized with world-class corporate value in the global market.
SCALE photonics Inc. URL: https://scalephotonics.com/
President & CEO: Masanao Kamata, Ph.D. Location: 7F Suruga Bldg, 1-7-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Founded: January 2026 Business: A deep-tech startup spun off from Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation. Its core technology is the "ultra-compact high-peak laser," the world's first monolithic integration of semiconductor and solid-state materials. The company develops, manufactures, and sells chip-scale lasers that achieve outputs of 57.0 kW in a 1mm³ form factor.
Link to Press Release