Lightmatter and GlobalFoundries® Partner to Mass Produce Passage™ Platform

By Ritesh Jain, Lightmatter

November 19, 2024

We’re excited to share that we’re partnering with GlobalFoundries to mass produce Passage™, our groundbreaking 3D photonics engine. This collaboration marks a significant leap forward for AI and High Performance Compute (HPC) infrastructure, directly addressing the ever-growing demand for high-bandwidth interconnects critical for next-generation AI systems.

Years of Investment in 3D Silicon Photonics Begin to Pay Off

Passage is the culmination of years of pioneering research and development by Lightmatter in 3D-stacked silicon photonics. This innovative solution overcomes the limitations of traditional copper interconnects, offering tens to hundreds of terabits per second (Tbps) of optical connectivity to seamlessly connect thousands of processors within AI data centers-–unlocking their full compute potential.

Through a seven-year partnership forged across multiple silicon design generations, Lightmatter has been collaborating with GF to develop the industry’s most robust and scalable AI interconnect solution. GF’s Fotonix™ fabrication platform integrates both electronics and photonics into a single CMOS wafer, enabling reliable, production-ready Passage designs that scale effectively with AI demands.

Passage: A Cornerstone in AI’s Evolution

Lightmatter’s partnership with GF is instrumental in fulfilling our vision for 3D silicon photonics and bringing Passage to full-scale production. By extending our close relationship with GF into the commercial production phase, we’re paving the way for the next giant leap in AI infrastructure scalability. Passage, powered by the unparalleled speed and efficiency of cutting-edge silicon photonics, is poised to become a cornerstone in the evolution of AI.

Together with GF, we’re at the forefront of the burgeoning silicon photonics industry, pushing the boundaries of per-chip bandwidth to unprecedented levels. This collaboration combines unparalleled expertise in electronics integration, advanced photonics, and control functionality to deliver Lightmatter’s Passage platform – a foundation for high-speed, scalable connectivity for the future of AI.

To learn more about Lightmatter and Passage, visit our website (www.lightmatter.co) or stop by booth #511 at SC24 Supercomputing in Atlanta, happening from November 19-21.