This article dives into how SPhotonix, a US-based startup with deep academic roots, is transforming decades of optical physics research into a new wave of ultra-stable “5D” data storage. Backed by a $4.5 million pre-seed round and a growing research base at EPFL in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, the company’s FemtoEtch nanostructuring tech is shaping up as a real contender for the future of data centers and cloud storage.
From University Lab to Deep-Tech Data Storage Company
SPhotonix is spinning out technology first developed at the University of Southampton, a longtime leader in photonics and optical materials. Though the company only emerged from stealth mode in late 2024, its scientific roots go back years—think fundamental work in laser–matter interaction and glass nanostructuring.
This $4.5 million funding round was led by Creator Fund and XTX Ventures, with a handful of notable angel investors joining in. The investment targets expansion of the company’s research lab at EPFL Neuchâtel, a key European hub for microengineering and photonics.
A Strategic Expansion at EPFL Neuchâtel
SPhotonix wants to double its Neuchâtel lab team in the next year, looking for specialists in programming, optics, laser–matter interaction, software, and imaging. Pulling together this mix of skills is crucial—5D optical storage isn’t about a single breakthrough, but about weaving together materials science, precision laser physics, computational imaging, and data engineering.
The company’s also thinking ahead to new facilities planned for 2027, aiming to support both advanced R&D and pilot-scale production of optical storage media and components.
What “5D” Optical Data Storage Actually Means
Traditional optical media like CDs and DVDs store info in two dimensions on a surface. SPhotonix’s tech takes it further, structuring data inside the glass itself, using several degrees of freedom at the nanoscale.
The term “5D” storage means they encode data not just by 3D position in the crystal, but also by things like the orientation and strength of embedded nanostructures—details that polarization-sensitive optics can read.
The “Superman” Memory Crystal
At the core of SPhotonix’s platform sits the “Superman” memory crystal, a fused silica material built to hold data for, well, almost forever. Developed by chief scientific officer Professor Peter Kazansky, this medium shrugs off extreme environmental conditions that would destroy magnetic disks or flash memory.
The material’s already been tested in some pretty wild demos, including:
These aren’t just publicity grabs—they show off the unique persistence and radiation resistance of glass-based 5D storage compared to regular electronics.
FemtoEtch: Laser Nanostructuring at the Core
SPhotonix’s secret sauce is its FemtoEtch laser nanostructuring platform. This process uses ultrafast (femtosecond) laser pulses to write stable, nanoscale patterns inside transparent materials like fused silica.
FemtoEtch isn’t just about static data. By tuning the shape, orientation, and optical response of these nanostructures, they can create all kinds of photonic components embedded right inside the glass.
Beyond Storage: Advanced Photonic Components
SPhotonix showed off several non-storage uses at SPIE Photonics West in early 2025, including:
These devices prove the tech can work for microscopy, high-power lasers, aerospace, and semiconductor manufacturing. This kind of diversification matters, both for early revenue and for proving FemtoEtch can handle tough industrial settings.
A Timely Solution to a Global Data Storage Crunch
5D optical storage isn’t just a neat science trick. Data volumes are exploding thanks to AI, cloud computing, high-res imaging, and sensor networks. Old-school storage—hard drives, tape, NAND flash—can’t really keep up with demands for capacity, lifespan, energy efficiency, and environmental impact.
SPhotonix sees its technology as a step toward scalable, durable, and cost-efficient data storage that could back up—or even eventually replace—parts of today’s data-center infrastructure. In theory, 5D glass storage offers:
Investor Confidence in a New Storage Paradigm
CEO Ilya Kazansky says investor interest is strong. More and more, people seem to realize that small tweaks to old storage tech just aren’t going to cut it.
Backers have openly praised SPhotonix’s push for “pioneering new storage paradigms.” They like that the company tackles everything from materials to full systems—pretty ambitious, honestly.
With new funding in hand, SPhotonix has built up a fast-growing team at EPFL Neuchâtel. Their solid track record in photonics applications doesn’t hurt either.
SPhotonix now stands out as a serious contender in the race for next-generation data storage. They’re not just thinking about the next hardware upgrade, but the entire future of digital preservation.
Here is the source article for this story: ‘Superman’ optical memory startup SPhotonix raises $4.5M