Lightmatter selected GlobalFoundries (GF) to mass-produce its “Passage,” a 3D-stacked silicon photonics platform designed to meet the escalating demands of AI and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. Passage aims to deliver tens to hundreds of terabits per second (Tbps) in optical connectivity, enabling seamless communication between thousands of processors in AI data centers. This partnership extends a seven-year collaboration between the companies, leveraging GF’s Fotonix platform to integrate electronics and photonics on a single CMOS wafer.
Lightmatter developed Passage to replace the performance bottlenecks of traditional copper interconnects, offering a scalable solution for next-generation AI systems. By combining GF’s advanced fabrication capabilities with Lightmatter’s innovations, the companies aim to achieve reliable and production-ready designs that align with the growing need for high-bandwidth interconnects. Passage’s scalability and speed make it a cornerstone for expanding AI infrastructure while significantly enhancing bandwidth per chip.
The collaboration underscores both companies’ focus on advancing the silicon photonics sector. GF’s Fotonix™ platform integrates key functionalities to produce scalable solutions, while Lightmatter’s investment in 3D silicon photonics is poised to redefine connectivity standards in AI and HPC. “Our partnership with GlobalFoundries enables us to bring Passage to full-scale production, laying the groundwork for AI’s next giant leap,” said a Lightmatter spokesperson.
Key Points
• Technology Focus: Passage™ delivers optical connectivity of tens to hundreds of Tbps for AI data centers.
• Integration: GF’s Fotonix™ platform combines electronics and photonics on a single CMOS wafer.
• Scalability: Designed to connect thousands of processors efficiently within AI systems.
• Timeline: Marks seven years of collaboration and multiple design iterations between the companies.
• AI Infrastructure: Addresses critical bandwidth and interconnect challenges for next-generation AI workloads.
Lightmatter, founded in 2017 by Nicholas Harris, Thomas Graham, and Darius Bunandar, is a photonic computing company headquartered in Mountain View, California. As of October 2024, the company has raised a total of $850 million over nine funding rounds, with a valuation reaching $4.4 billion. In October 2024, Lightmatter secured a $400 million Series D funding round led by T. Rowe Price, bringing its total capital raised to $850 million. In November 2024, Lightmatter announced strategic partnerships with Amkor Technology and Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) to advance 3D photonics packaging for AI data centers.
