Tower and Xscape Collaborate on First On-Chip Multi-Wavelength Laser Platform for AI Data-Center Fabrics

Tower Semiconductor and Xscape Photonics have developed an optically pumped, multi-wavelength laser platform for AI data-center fabrics. The solution is built on Tower's PH18 silicon photonics platform and supports CWDM and DWDM wavelength grids. It enables high-performance, high-reliability, and lower-cost optical interconnects, eliminating the need for external lasers or hybrid III-V integration. The market for optical transceivers and LPO/CPO for AI clusters is expected to reach $20bn by 2030.

Tower Semiconductor and Xscape Photonics have announced a significant advancement in optical interconnect technology with the development of the industry's first on-chip, optically pumped, multi-wavelength laser source. This breakthrough is built on Tower's PH18 Silicon Photonics platform and supports both CWDM and DWDM wavelength grids, catering to the growing needs of AI data-center fabrics.

The collaboration between Tower Semiconductor and Xscape Photonics addresses critical challenges in AI datacenter connectivity by enabling higher bandwidth density and improved power efficiency. Traditional solutions required multiple externally modulated lasers or complex hybrid III-V integration, which are now replaced by a single continuous wave external laser optically pumping a monolithically integrated laser array on Tower's PH18 platform. This simplification of architecture supports both CWDM and DWDM wavelength grids, essential for high-density optical connections.

The technology's integration with Tower's established high-volume manufacturing process ensures compatibility with existing photonic components, such as modulators and detectors, reducing adoption barriers. This is particularly valuable as the AI optical interconnect market is projected to reach $10 billion in 2026 and $20 billion by 2030, according to LightCounting [1].

Xscape Photonics' ChromX platform, based on proprietary CombX technology, offers a programmable laser source compatible with existing silicon photonic components. This platform is specifically designed for GPU-to-GPU and GPU-to-HBM optical links in AI clusters, significantly reducing component count and latency. The ChromX platform positions Xscape Photonics competitively in the AI infrastructure space, while Tower enhances its silicon photonics portfolio with differentiated technology addressing emerging AI infrastructure needs.

The collaboration marks a significant technological breakthrough, with the ability to monolithically embed programmable multi-color lasers on-chip, pumped optically by a single CW external laser. This technology simplifies design, reduces latency, and component count, and is particularly impactful for GPU-to-GPU and GPU-to-HBM optical links in AI clusters. Leveraging Tower’s high-volume modular PH18 platform, the solution offers a seamless upgrade path for existing customers, fully compatible with established photonic components such as modulators and detectors.

The successful prototyping and validation kit availability of the industry’s first on-chip, optically pumped, multi-wavelength laser source by Tower Semiconductor and Xscape Photonics demonstrate their commitment to innovation and scalability in the AI and data-driven markets. This technology is set to transform how AI fabrics are architected, supporting high performance, high reliability, and lower cost, while simplifying the supply chain.

References:
[1] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/TSEM/xscape-photonics-and-tower-semiconductor-unveil-the-industry-s-first-h8vye6mmf0nz.html