Companies

Lightmatter

Executive perspectives from Lightmatter across NextGenInfra's event and research showcases.

4 video interviews · 2025–2026

2026 AI Infra Summit Lightmatter

Bidirectional Optics for Massive GPU Clusters

  • Passage L20 brings bidirectional optics to scale-up networks, linking giant GPU clusters with half the optical fiber.
  • Halving fiber count directly addresses an anticipated global shortage in optical fiber supply.
  • With power constrained, the optics let a gigawatt data center perform like a three-gigawatt one — the same compute and GPU count, faster tokens.
Abstract
Nick Harris, Co-Founder and CEO at Lightmatter, announces the company's bidirectional optics solution with Passage L20 that enables massive GPU clusters while using half the optical fibers, addressing anticipated global fiber shortages. The technology allows gigawatt data centers to perform like three-gigawatt facilities for AI training and inference, delivering faster tokens with the same compute and GPU count despite power constraints.
2026 Data Center Networking Lightmatter

Lightmatter's Optical Interconnects for AI Scale-Up

  • Passage EVK50 delivers DWDM with 16 wavelengths per fiber at 400Gbps Tx + 400Gbps Rx
  • Architecture aligns with the new OCI MSA (8-wavelength, 4+4 band interleave)
  • Targets energy-efficient, compact optical scale-up interconnects
Abstract
Steve Klinger, VP of Product at Lightmatter, presents the company's optical scale-up interconnect solutions, featuring the Passage EVK50 system with DWDM technology that delivers 16 wavelengths per fiber with 400Gbps Tx and 400Gbps Rx. The architecture offers high energy efficiency and compact integration while aligning with the recently announced OCI MSA specifications using an 8-wavelength, 4+4 band interleave model.
2026 OCP Global Summit Lightmatter, Flex

200-Terabit Optical Switch: Collaboration Advances AI Networking

  • Lightmatter and Flex built a 1RU, 200-terabit optical switch through an OCP workstream, pairing a dense laser system and all-optical connectivity with Flex's modular fiber attach units and fiber trays.
  • The work has moved from a contributed white paper to prescriptive specifications covering fiber connectors, optical loss, and other critical parameters.
  • The prototype is a test vehicle for building supply-chain know-how with partners such as Senko (connectors) and JetCool (liquid cooling), and both companies invite wider participation in the OCP work group.
Abstract
Bijan Nowroozi, Head of Ecosystem Development at Lightmatter, and Janos Veres, Senior Director, Assembly & Test Technologies at Flex, present a collaborative 1RU, 200-terabit optical switch developed through their OCP workstream that advances AI networking infrastructure with high-density photonics and modular architecture. The project has evolved from a white paper to developing prescriptive specifications for fiber connectors and critical parameters, with the current prototype serving as a test vehicle to build supply chain understanding among partners including Lightmatter, Flex, Senko, and JetCool.
2025 AI Infra Summit Lightmatter

Lightmatter on Breaking the AI Interconnect Bottleneck

  • Lightmatter's Passage photonic technology boosts chip connectivity and bandwidth for AI.
  • Uses silicon photonics for high-speed data transmission.
  • L series is designed to integrate with existing data center infrastructure.
Abstract
Steve Klinger, VP Product at Lightmatter, showcases their Passage photonic technology that tackles AI computing bottlenecks by enhancing chip connectivity and bandwidth capabilities. The solution enables high-speed data transmission through silicon photonics and provides seamless integration with existing data center infrastructure through their L series offering.