• Monolithic tunable lasers can adapt statically and dynamically. • Key Takeaways The move to co-packaged optics (CPO) holds the promise of putting photonic ICs (PICs) and electronic ICs (EICs) into the same package. • Lasers typically don’t join the party in the package, bringing their light in through the faceplate of a server rack. • But a new approach could move the lasers into the system, although still not into the package. • By building laser arrays monolithically, companies can simplify the alignment challenges associated with separate lasers and the optical components. • Hundreds of lasers are envisioned.

Article Summaries:

  • Lightmatter has unveiled a new “light engine” that integrates hundreds of monolithically‑fabricated, tunable lasers into a single photonic chip. The design aims to support co‑packaged optics (CPO), moving optical components closer to the processor and eliminating long copper SerDes lines that consume power. By making the laser array software‑programmable, the system can adapt to any wavelength mix, reducing the need for separate modulators and alignment hardware. The chip, built with Cadence and Synopsys tools, shares technology with Lightmatter’s earlier Passage interposer and could improve reliability by simplifying the optical path while keeping the laser module in a replaceable pluggable form.

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