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Optics and AI

Tue, Oct 20

Latest picks

Oct 19Mon
  1. C114 Communications Network · Optical CommunicationsOptics industryOptics and AI58

    Omdia: Pre-terminated Fiber Expands into AI Data Centers and Other Infrastructure

    An Omdia report notes that pre-terminated fiber solutions are expanding from traditional FTTH scenarios into data centers, edge computing and smart cities. Its data show that cloud business is driving data center capacity growth of 25% per year, and AI development will further increase demand for fast, reliable fiber deployment. Pre-terminated solutions reduce field termination errors through improved connectors and plug-and-play designs, while Clearfield's vertically integrated manufacturing is used to respond to customer needs and reduce dependence on overseas logistics.

    Why we recommend it: The deployment advantages of pre-terminated solutions and manufacturing integration cases complement each other, providing context for understanding how passive component suppliers expand from FTTH into data centers.

  2. C114 Communications Network · Optical CommunicationsOptics industryOptics and AI62

    CAICT's Ao Li on Optical Communications Evolution Driven by AI Computing

    Ao Li, vice president of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), said the optical communications industry is shifting from being driven by traditional telecom to being driven by AI computing, with next-generation communications networks and optical networks evolving in parallel. He noted that 1.6T is at the early commercialization stage globally, hollow-core fiber is already used for low-latency dedicated lines and cross-domain computing interconnects, and multi-core fiber is entering high-density data center cable scenarios. He expects optical circuit switching systems to form an optoelectronic hybrid architecture with electrical switching, while the relevant technology roadmaps continue to develop in parallel.

    Why we recommend it: Comparing high-speed interconnects, hollow-core and multi-core fiber, and optical switching under AI computing demand provides context for understanding the engineering pace of each optical communications pathway.

  3. C114 Communications Network · Optical CommunicationsOptics industryOptics and AI68

    Mao Qian on Fiber Demand Shifting to Cloud Providers and Physical Supply Constraints

    Mao Qian noted that control over fiber demand has shifted from carriers to cloud providers, and preform expansion cycles make supply-demand gaps difficult to ease quickly through pricing. A report he released estimates that global optical fiber and cable demand will reach about 630 million fiber-km in 2026, while effective supply will be only 480 million to 520 million fiber-km, leaving a gap of about 110 million to 150 million fiber-km. Preform plant construction takes 18 to 24 months, and product mix shifts combined with supply constraints are pushing the industry from price competition toward value competition.

    Why we recommend it: Linking cloud provider demand with preform capacity expansion cycles explains why structural shortages can persist even when nominal capacity is ample, providing a framework for comparing different fiber categories.

  4. C114 Communications Network · Optical CommunicationsOptics industryOptics and AI68

    Mao Qian on Fragmentation of the Global Fiber Market and Chinese Companies' Overseas Transformation

    Mao Qian released the 2026 Global Optical Fiber and Cable Industry Development Report, stating that the global market is forming two fragmented systems led by the US and China, while Chinese companies' overseas expansion is shifting from absorbing excess capacity to exporting value. APC data show that Chinese companies' combined global share exceeded 45% in 2026, with North American prices at two to three times the global benchmark. The report forecasts that Chinese companies' share will exceed 50% by 2030, and warns of risks from key raw material supply and a supply-demand reversal after new capacity comes online.

    Why we recommend it: The report places trade barriers, overseas capacity and customer lock-in within a single competitive framework, providing context for understanding how Chinese fiber companies are shifting from scale expansion to value export.

  5. OFweek Laser Network · NewsOptics industryOptics and AI66

    RUNTO on Why Laser Projector Competition Is Moving from Whole Units to Light Sources

    RUNTO believes the accelerating adoption of tri-color lasers is pushing the focus of laser projector competition from whole units down to light source components. It forecasts global laser projector shipments of 2.405 million units in 2026, with tri-color laser penetration reaching 75% in the Chinese market. HiSilicon recently released five lasers covering discrete single-color and multi-channel integrated solutions, and light source integration is affecting optical engine size, thermal management and overall design flexibility.

    Why we recommend it: Placing tri-color laser penetration and integrated light source solutions within the same design chain shows how light source selection affects projector optical engine size, thermal management and product definition.

  6. OFweek Optics Network · NewsOptics industryOptics and AI68

    How Four Diffractive Optical Waveguide Pathways Drive Volume Manufacturing

    SRG diffractive optical waveguides use four complementary pathways - nanoimprint, DUV lithography etching, SiC substrates and single-layer full color - to improve mass production, precision, field of view and image quality respectively. The article cites AAC Technologies' single-layer full-color SRG mass production yield of over 80%, a 52-degree FOV for the SiC solution, and the commissioning of Goertek Optics' 12-inch DUV lithography etching production line. Plans for million-unit-level capacity and ramp-up do not mean the industry as a whole has achieved stable million-unit-scale delivery; cost, yield and whole-device integration remain the next hurdles.

    Why we recommend it: Discussing nanoimprint, DUV etching, SiC substrates and single-layer full color separately helps distinguish the constraints on waveguide mass production, precision, field of view and image quality.

  7. C114 Communications Network · Optical CommunicationsOptics industryOptics and AI65

    Wen Ku: AI Drives Fiber Optic Cable Demand, Calls for Price Negotiation and Rational Capacity Expansion

    Speaking at the Global Optical Fiber and Cable Conference, Wen Ku said AI, computing power and data centers are reshaping fiber optic cable demand, and urged upstream and downstream players to establish long-term price negotiation mechanisms and expand capacity rationally. He noted that global fiber demand grew 4.1% in 2025, with data communications and data center-related demand up 76%, while expanding optical fiber preform capacity takes two years. Wen Ku warned that high prices could trigger a concentrated release of new capacity, recommending more long-term contracts and navigating price cycles through low-latency, low-loss, high-density technologies and diversified applications.

    Why we recommend it: Links AI-driven changes in fiber demand to the preform capacity expansion cycle and price mismatches, providing industry context for why the current boom carries risks of overcapacity.

Oct 8Thu
  1. Laser Focus WorldOptics industryOptics and AI61

    From Pixels to Optical Links: MicroLED Shifts to Co-Packaged Optics

    A Laser Focus World article analyzes the surge in industry interest in MicroLED co-packaged optics (CPO) solutions, reflecting their multiple advantages, although technical challenges remain to be resolved.

    Why we recommend it: The article reviews the advantages and challenges of MicroLED shifting from displays to optical interconnects, helping assess the maturity of this CPO route

Sep 24Thu
  1. OFweek Optics Network · NewsOptics industryOptics and AI61

    CIOE 2026 AR Optics Review: Mass Production, Thin-and-Light Design and Color Emerge as Keywords

    At the 27th CIOE and SIVA 2026, the keywords for VR/AR optics centered on mass production, thin-and-light design, and color displays for AR glasses. The article summarizes show trends, noting that 4-inch, 6-inch and other semiconductor wafers were everywhere, serving as a way to demonstrate mass-production capability.

    Why we recommend it: The original article summarizes the directions of multiple AR optics makers at the show, making it easy to compare the current state of the AR optics supply chain

Sep 22Tue
  1. C114 Communications Network · Optical CommunicationsOptics industryOptics and AI61

    LightCounting: NPO Is Hot, but Pluggables Remain the Market Mainstay

    LightCounting's latest quarterly report says NPO dominated much of the discussion at the recent CIOE, much like the industry's enthusiasm for LPO a few years ago. However, sales of retimed pluggable optical modules continue to hit new highs, with Ethernet optical modules accounting for the majority of overall sales.

    Why we recommend it: The original article contrasts sales data with the hype, helping to gauge the real pace of NPO and pluggable optical modules

Sep 20Sun
  1. C114 Communications Network · Optical CommunicationsOptics industryOptics and AI61

    CIOE 2026 Observations: Why NPO Is the Optimal Choice for Cloud Giants

    The 27th CIOE drew nearly 190,000 visits over three days, up 32% year on year. NPO (near-package optics) products from major domestic optical module makers made a concentrated appearance. NPO moves the optical engine from the switch front panel to near the ASIC package without soldering it to the switch chip, balancing power consumption and serviceability.

    Why we recommend it: The source text explains the trade-offs of NPO versus CPO and pluggables, helping to understand cloud vendors' selection logic

Sep 18Fri
  1. OFweek Optics Network · NewsOptics industryOptics and AI61

    Eye Tracking, ToF, AI Glasses: The Commercialization Path for Metalenses Becomes Clearer

    An article by VR Tuoluo notes that metalenses had a noticeably stronger presence at CIOE 2026, with NIL Technology showcasing metaEye for AR/VR eye tracking. The article maps out the application paths for metalenses in eye tracking, ToF and AI glasses.

    Why we recommend it: The source text lists specific applications of metalenses in XR, helping to gauge the progress of metasurfaces from the lab to products

Sep 16Wed
  1. C114 Communications Network · Optical CommunicationsOptics industryOptics and AI65

    Tencent's Zou Xianneng: NPO Will Ramp Up Quickly, OCS Poised for Large-Scale Deployment

    Speaking at the CIOE forum, Tencent's Zou Xianneng said NPO will ramp up quickly and OCS is poised for large-scale deployment.

    Why we recommend it: The source text provides specific data and details that help assess the actual progress in this direction

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