PsiQuantum Unveils New Optical Circuit Switching Tech
The photonic switching platform aims to mitigate AI data-scaling bottlenecks with low-loss silicon technology.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Quantum Computing
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PsiQuantum has unveiled an 8x8-radix optical circuit switching demonstration vehicle designed to address AI data-scaling bottlenecks. This technology is currently in the demonstration phase, with samples being distributed to select prospective customers.
Why it matters
As AI systems scale, the infrastructure required to move data between processors is becoming a primary bottleneck. This new switching technology utilizes high-volume silicon photonics to potentially alleviate these data movement constraints.
The demonstration vehicle achieved 1.2 dB insertion loss and 40 dB cross talk with a reconfiguration time of less than 3 ms. This performance was enabled by integrating barium titanate (BTO) at a 300mm wafer scale.
The players
PsiQuantum
A developer of quantum computing systems that utilizes silicon photonics and existing semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure.
U.S. Department of Commerce
A federal executive department focused on economic growth, which signed documentation with PsiQuantum in September 2026.
The details
PsiQuantum uses a low-loss silicon photonics platform—a method for building complex optical systems on standard semiconductor materials—to manage data movement. By leveraging high-volume manufacturing processes and existing cryogenic infrastructure, the company integrates barium titanate, a material that enables high-speed light control, into its switching architecture. This setup supports a 64x64 BTO switch size, aiming to replace electronic switching bottlenecks with photon-based alternatives.
Timeline
October 29, 2026: PsiQuantum unveiled the optical circuit switching demonstration vehicle.
September 2026: PsiQuantum signed documentation with the U.S. Department of Commerce.
2016: PsiQuantum was founded.
The Tech Race
This development marks a shift toward replacing traditional electronic interconnects with high-speed, photonics-based switching. It directly challenges the limitations of current silicon photonics AI interconnects by utilizing BTO integration for improved signal integrity.
Prospective enterprise customers can currently access demonstration samples to evaluate the technology for high-speed AI data processing workflows. Commercial products are slated for announcement in the coming months, though final pricing and broad availability remain unannounced.
The takeaway
PsiQuantum is positioning photonics-based switching as the solution to infrastructure bottlenecks in large-scale AI environments. Industry participants should monitor the upcoming commercial product announcement to see how the company scales these performance metrics from the 8x8 demonstration unit.
Further reading
Explore the broader advancements in Quantum Computing to understand how silicon photonics is reshaping high-performance infrastructure.
Source note: This article includes information reported by HPCwire.
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