Applied Optoelectronics Inc unveiled a 400-milliwatt narrow-linewidth pump laser aimed at emerging silicon photonics and co-packaged optics (CPO) architectures in AI data centers. The new laser targets optical designs where broader linewidths or higher noise degrade performance, particularly as hyperscalers push toward 800G and 1.6T optical I/O.
Developed over several years, the 400mW laser can directly source light into semiconductor chip-scale systems, supporting centralized and external laser architectures. The device provides sufficient optical power to offset coupling, splitting, and routing losses while staying within thermal constraints near AI switch ASICs. AOI positions the laser as both a direct on-chip source and a high-efficiency external pump capable of feeding multiple optical communication channels from a single wavelength.
The laser uses AOI’s distributed feedback (DFB) design based on its buried heterostructure (BH) platform and delivers more than 400mW of optical power at 50°C. By reducing wavelength drift and noise, the device improves stability for ring modulators, micro-ring lasers, and other silicon photonics elements, while also simplifying calibration and wavelength locking as systems scale.
- Supports 800G and 1.6T optical power budgets by overcoming coupling and routing losses near AI switch ASICs
- Enables shared and external laser architectures for silicon photonics and CPO designs
- Improves wavelength stability and reduces noise for ring-based photonic devices
- Enhances system yield and uptime through simplified calibration and consistent lane-to-lane performance
- Delivers over 400mW optical output at 50°C using AOI’s DFB BH laser platform
“Sophisticated architectures need high performance optical sources. We have spent the last several years working on the specs to produce an ultra high-power laser that will meet the demands of optical networks today and specifically support the CPO architectures of the future,” said Fred Chang, Senior Vice President and North American General Manager at AOI. “With this new technology, we are raising the bar on laser power, coherence, and stability to offer customers the ideal solution for unlocking scalable optical I/O, simplifying system design, and accelerating the industry’s transition to co-packaged optics at 800G and beyond.”
🌐 Analysis
The announcement aligns with rising industry momentum around external and shared laser architectures as hyperscalers evaluate CPO to manage power density and signal integrity at higher data rates. AOI’s focus on high-power, narrow-linewidth sources places it alongside laser suppliers targeting similar requirements as switch ASICs move toward 51.2T and beyond and silicon photonics integration becomes more central to AI cluster design.
