Feb. 1, 2024 The much-anticipated Photonics West 2024 concluded at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. With over 1,500 manufacturers and research institutions from around the world gathering on-site, the event served as a platform for unveiling the latest advancements and discussing emerging industry trends.
Among the many of exhibitors, Advanced Fiber Resources (AFR) emerged as a standout, captivating attendees with their innovative and diversified product portfolio, which includes LiDAR light source, lithium niobate modulators, fiber laser components, etc. Here are some of the highlights from AFR's showcase:
1550 nm LiDAR Light Source
AFR's LiDAR Light Source features a pulse width and repetition rate tunable design for higher pulse energy and peak power. The product has industry-leading E-O efficiency and stability in a compact package. AFR also provides customized light source services.
Swept Tunable Laser Module
Arcadia Optronix's (AFR wholly owned subsidiary) Swept Tunable Laser Module offers a wavelength range of 1528 to 1568 nm and a sweep speed of up to 2 kHz. The output power reaches 20 mW while maintaining wavelength stability < 1 pm.
500 W Fiber to Free Space Isolator
AFR proprietary design and award-winning product (Laser Focus World Innovators Awards 2023) with unparalleled performance for fiber laser application.
130 GBaud TFLN Coherent Driver Modulator
A quad-channel 130 GBaud High-Bandwidth Coherent Driver Modulator integrated with RF driver, designed for 800 Gb/s or 1.2 Tb/s coherent optical transport systems and transceivers.
For more information about all products above, please contact sales@fiber-resources.com or visit our product center at www.fiber-resources.com.
Dec. 27, 2023 – The relentless expansion of data traffic in fiber-optic communication networks, fueled by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, has become a driving force for innovation. According to Allied Market Research, the global data center market is anticipated to soar to $24.6 billion by 2031, with a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. This surge in data transmission demands high-speed optical devices capable of handling the increased workload.
Key Advantages of TFLN Material
Conventional optical modules currently employ chips based on silicon photonics and indium phosphide platforms. Nevertheless, constraints in material bandwidth and suboptimal linearity have given rise to bottlenecks for applications exceeding 800 Gbps. A revolutionary solution to these challenges arises with the introduction of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) material.
Items |
LiNbO3 |
InP |
SiPh |
TFLN |
Performance compared to
other materials |
Optical Loss
(dB) |
JJJ |
JJ |
J |
JJJJ |
Excellent |
Max.
Bandwidth (GHz) |
JJ |
JJJ |
JJ |
JJJJ |
Excellent |
Half-Wave
Voltage Vπ (V) |
JJJ |
JJJ |
JJ |
JJJJ |
Excellent |
Extinction
Ratio (dB) |
JJJJ |
JJJ |
JJ |
JJJJ |
Excellent |
Chip Length
(mm) |
JJJJ |
JJ |
JJ |
JJJ |
Median |
Linearity |
JJJJ |
JJ |
J |
JJJJ |
Excellent |
Integration |
J |
JJ |
JJJJ |
JJJJ |
Excellent |
Cost |
JJ |
JJJJ |
J |
JJJ
(Reduced
after scaling) |
Median
(Reduced
after scaling) |
Table 1. Comparison of Material Technology for Optical Devices
In Table 1, TFLN emerges as a promising material technology, surpassing mature counterparts like LiNbO₃, InP, and SiPh. Notably, TFLN stands out with its remarkable advantages in low optical loss and large bandwidth. Its excellence extends to key performance factors like Half-Wave Voltage, Extinction Ratio, Linearity, and Seamless Integration, marking it as a leading contender in optical innovation. As the technology matures and market applications broaden, the cost of TFLN is expected to decrease, driven by economies of scale in production.
TFLN Industry Chain Solidifies for Future Breakthroughs
The optimistic outlook of the TFLN industry is drawing numerous technology enterprises, fostering the rapid development of a complete ecosystem. Key players such as AFR (headquartered in Zhuhai, China), HyperLight (based in Cambridge, MA, USA), Liobate (situated in Nanjing, China), NanoLN (located in Jinan, China) and Novel Si Integrated Technology (based in Shanghai, China) have pledged their dedication to forging a robust chain in this burgeoning field, covering materials, wafers, chips, modulators, and optical modules. With a unified commitment to collaboration across the industrial chain, the year 2024 is expected to witness remarkable breakthroughs in this rapidly evolving sector.
Dec. 14, 2023 – Advanced Fiber Resources
(AFR) orchestrated a dynamic panel discussion at the LiNC 2023, where leading
experts delved into the forefront of TFLN (Thin Film Lithium Niobate)
technology. Moderated by Dr. Dennis Zhou, AFR's Vice President, the panel featured
esteemed figures including Prof. Marko Lončar from Harvard University, Prof.
Xinlun Cai from Sun Yat-Sen University, Prof. Xin Ou from Shanghai Inst.
Microsys. Inform. Technol., CAS, and Dr. Hui Hu from NanoLN, covering a diverse
spectrum of topics.
AFR Industry Forum Panel Discussion
Dr. Dennis Zhou initiated the dialogue by inquiring about the breakthroughs expected in the coming years, in the rapidly evolving landscape of TFLN technology.
Prof. Marko Lončar expressed, "My
focus is on research opportunities and scientific advancements, particularly in
commercializing this technology, I'm particularly excited about its
applications in photonics. Optical computing has been around for a long time,
and TFLN holds promising potential in this realm."
Prof. Xin Ou concurred with Prof. Loncar,
underscoring the importance of research breakthroughs and cost reduction,
particularly in the context of wafer costs. “The point is how we can make it
more competitive and acceptable for the industry and products compared to other
materials such as InP and SiPh..” He said.
Addressing the significant barriers
hindering the promotion of TFLN technology, Prof. Marko Lončar identified three
key challenges: a scarcity of time and skilled personnel, reliability concerns
in the manufacturing process, and cost considerations.
Prof. Xinlun Cai echoed Prof. Loncar's
sentiments, emphasizing the necessity of finding more applications to
accelerate TFLN adoption. He identified data centers and AI clusters as
potential markets, highlighting the importance of product maturity and end-user
education. ”I’m a big believer of this technology. TFLN can go very far, it
will be the winner if applied to 200G+ transfers. Companies like HyperLight,
Liobate and AFR are shaping this young industry, we are kind of like doing experiment,
trying to find a way to lead the future.” He said.
Discussing the opportune moment for TFLN
modulators to surpass incumbent technologies, Prof. Xinlun Cai identified the
rapidly evolving landscape, citing the unexpected rise of AI clusters and the
urgent demand for 800G. He highlighted the current focus on 1.6T as a new
opportunity, requiring extensive work for qualification, mass production, and
market capture.
As the panel concluded, participants
offered collaborative strategies to expedite TFLN technology development. Dr.
Hui Hu underscored the importance of enhanced communication and cooperation
within the industry, while Prof. Xin Ou advocated for the inclusion of
representatives from the system and investment fields to strengthen the industry
chain. Dr. Dennis Zhou proposed collaborative efforts with standard
organizations to establish and promote industry standards. Meanwhile, he also
forecasted that there will be one forum and one technical session hosted by
HyperLight and AFR during OFC 2024 in San Diego, USA. It is anticipated that
this event will foster additional cooperation and inspire innovative ideas.
About AFR
Advanced Fiber Resources
(AFR) designs and manufactures standard and custom components, modulators, and
provides contract manufacturing solutions to our customers. Our products are
widely used in fiber laser, telecom, data center, fiber sensing, autonomous
driving, biomedical equipment, as well as research institutes and universities
around the globe. AFR’s products have been sold to customers in more than 40
countries and regions worldwide.