InP and SiPho join CMOS as critical technologies. Lasers, CPO and OCS will be everywhere (indium phosphide, silicon photonics, co-packaged optics, optical circuit switch).
I spent several days at OFC (Optical Fiber Communications Conference) 2026 in LA. The crowds were huge and the enthusiasm intense. Long-time attendees noted the shift from telecom to data center AI in just a few years.
Nvidia GT...
The strongest version of this narrative is that we are witnessing a fundamental architectural shift in data centers, where optics is becoming the default medium for high-bandwidth interconnects. The evidence is compelling: hyperscalers are investing billions, startups are demonstrating working prototypes, and the technical advantages—lower power, higher bandwidth, reduced latency—are well-documented. The transition from pluggable transceivers to CPO and the expansion of OCS beyond niche applicat...