Coherent Corp. has launched PhotonLink, an integrated optics platform combining Coherent's optical components for AI infrastructure interconnect.

Coherent Corp. has announced PhotonLink, an integrated optics platform combining the company's photonics technologies, precision assembly, and test capabilities to deliver complete optical solutions for next-generation AI data centers. The platform supports co-packaged optics (CPO), near-packaged optics (NPO), and emerging chip-to-chip connectivity.

As AI systems scale, demand for higher bandwidth and lower power is driving optical connectivity closer to compute and switching silicon. These architectures require lasers, silicon photonics, precision optics, fibers, and detectors to work together seamlessly.

"The next leap in AI requires more than faster chips—it requires a new way to connect them," said Jim Anderson, Chief Executive Officer at Coherent. "Customers need complete optical solutions, not just individual components. Coherent is uniquely positioned to bring together the critical technologies, integrate and test the finished assemblies, and manufacture them at scale."

Coherent's vertical integration spans compound semiconductor materials, lasers, optics, and specialty fiber through final assembly and test. PhotonLink gives customers access to both individual components and complete optical assemblies from a single partner, simplifying system design, streamlining qualification, and reducing integration complexity.

The PhotonLink platform spans four functions: Generate, Shape, Guide, and Receive. The portfolio includes indium phosphide (InP) lasers, vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays, silicon photonics, isolators, specialty fibers, micro-optics, and detectors. Coherent integrates these into external laser sources, precision fiber assemblies, and optical modules tailored to customer architectures.

Coherent has secured more than ten CPO customer engagements and more than ten NPO engagements, with anchor customers and long-term agreements for both architectures. The company also has more than five engagements in emerging chip-to-chip connectivity. Revenue from PhotonLink is expected to begin ramping in Q4 2026.

The platform builds on Coherent's established datacenter manufacturing base, which has shipped more than 300 million InP lasers and more than one billion InP and gallium arsenide photodetectors. Coherent is expanding its 6-inch InP and specialty fiber manufacturing capacity to support the PhotonLink ramp.