The combination of plasmons and electro-optic polymers aims to surpass the limitations of traditional modulators
Lightwave Logic, Inc. (NASDAQ: LWLG) and Polariton Technologies AG have announced the expansion of their technology collaboration to accelerate the development of high-speed optical links intended for data centers and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The alliance seeks to leverage the advantages of electro-optic polymers and plasmonic technology in the manufacturing of photonic integrated circuits (PICs), with the goal of overcoming the limitations of conventional materials in transmitting data at speeds of 400 Gb/s per channel and beyond.
A key step toward the integration of new optical technologies
The collaboration between the two companies will focus on manufacturing advanced optical transmitters, as well as a comprehensive program for material and device qualification and reliability. Additionally, efforts will be made to optimize assembly and testing processes in semiconductor manufacturing plants to facilitate industrial-scale integration.
Yves LeMaitre, CEO of Lightwave Logic, highlighted the strategic importance of this alliance:
“We are evolving from being a material supplier to actively collaborating in the development of solutions for the market. We are excited to contribute our electro-optic polymers and integration expertise so that Polariton can drive disruptive innovation in the AI and data center sectors.”
Meanwhile, Wolfgang Heni, co-founder and co-technology director of Polariton, emphasized the advantages that the combination of plasmons and electro-optic polymers will bring to the market:
“This unique technology meets the increasing demands for size and performance of future AI infrastructures and data centers. By combining plasmons with electro-optic polymers on silicon, we can pave the way for modulators with frequencies of up to 800 GHz. We believe that the use of advanced and innovative materials will be key to the future of silicon photonics beyond 2030.”
Breaking the barriers of traditional modulators
Traditional optical modulators, based on materials such as indium phosphide, silicon photonics, and thin-film lithium niobate, have struggled to adapt to the extreme bandwidth needs of emerging AI applications.
The combination of Lightwave Logic’s electro-optic polymers with Polariton’s plasmonic circuits addresses the challenges of low energy efficiency, smaller form factor, and higher transmission capacity, optimizing intra- and inter-data center optical links. This technology will facilitate the transition to speeds of 400 Gb/s per channel and future scales of 800 Gb/s, enabling infrastructures with bandwidths of 3.2 to 6.4 Tb/s.
Currently, Polariton has developed products in the O-band using Lightwave Logic’s electro-optic polymers, which are available for testing with select customers.
Toward a more efficient future in optical transmission
This collaboration marks a significant advancement in the evolution of high-speed optical transmission technology. With the increasing demand for higher processing capabilities in data centers and the rise of next-generation AI models, optimizing energy consumption and bandwidth in optical communications is a crucial aspect for the future of the sector.
Both companies will continue to explore new applications and performance improvements for this technology, aiming to facilitate its adoption in global telecommunications and data center infrastructures.
About Lightwave Logic, Inc.
Lightwave Logic, Inc. (NASDAQ: LWLG) is a technology company that develops and commercializes electro-optic polymers designed to transmit data at high speeds with lower energy consumption and a reduced form factor. Its cutting-edge photonic devices convert electrical signals into optical signals, with applications in telecommunications, data centers, and artificial intelligence.
About Polariton Technologies AG
Polariton Technologies is a company specializing in the design and manufacture of high-performance photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for ultra-high bandwidth and low energy consumption applications. Its technology combines silicon photonics with advanced plasmonic devices, providing solutions for the communications, computing, testing and measurement, space, and quantum technology markets.