Lightmatter Introduces World’s Fastest AI Interconnect Technology
Singapore, Tuesday, 1 April 2025.
Lightmatter’s new Passage M1000 photonic superchip, offering 114 Tbps optical bandwidth, aims to dramatically improve AI chip connectivity and speed, marking a major leap in data center efficiency.
Revolutionary Photonic Architecture
Mountain View-based Lightmatter unveiled its groundbreaking technology on March 31, 2025, introducing two major innovations that promise to transform AI computing infrastructure [4]. The flagship Passage M1000 features a massive 3D active photonic interposer spanning over 4,000 square millimeters, enabling unprecedented connectivity between thousands of GPUs [2]. This architectural breakthrough leverages an extensive waveguide network supporting 256 optical fibers, with each fiber delivering 448 Gbps bandwidth [2][5].
Breaking Performance Barriers
The technology represents a significant leap forward in addressing AI computation bottlenecks. As noted by Lightmatter CEO Nick Harris, ‘GPUs are spending the majority of their compute capacity just waiting for data to arrive’ [1]. The Passage M1000’s revolutionary design solves this challenge by achieving a record-breaking 114 Tbps total optical bandwidth [2][5]. Complementing this, the company’s Passage L200 co-packaged optics solution offers versions with 32 Tbps and 64 Tbps bandwidth, delivering a 5 to 10x improvement over existing solutions [4].
Manufacturing and Availability
Lightmatter has forged strategic partnerships with industry leaders to ensure production readiness. The company is collaborating with GlobalFoundries and Amkor to manufacture the M1000 platform [2], utilizing GF’s Fotonix silicon photonics platform. The technology has garnered substantial investor confidence, with Lightmatter raising $850 million in venture funding and achieving a valuation of $4.4 billion [1]. The Passage M1000 is scheduled for release in summer 2025 [2], while the L200 platform is set for availability in 2026 [4].
Industry Impact and Future Prospects
The advancement in photonic technology arrives at a crucial time for AI infrastructure development. The solutions enable up to 8X faster training time for advanced AI models [4], potentially revolutionizing data center efficiency. Industry experts have validated the technology’s potential, with Vlad Kozlov, founder and CEO of LightCounting, noting that Lightmatter’s unique 3D active photonic interposer presents capabilities that surpass existing solutions [2]. The innovation will be showcased at the Optical Fiber Conference in San Francisco from April 1-3, 2025 [2][4].