Researchers from Peking University have developed a unified photonic platform capable of operating across both short-range data center links and long-haul networks. The system utilizes a hybrid laser with an external resonator, combining indium phosphide for amplification and silicon nitride for low-loss optical resonance.
During tests, the platform achieved a total data transmission rate of 81.92 Tbps over a 1 km fiber link without optical amplifiers. This setup utilized 256 channels, each transmitting at 320 Gbps using DP-16QAM modulation at 40 GBaud. The laser provides up to 70 mW of optical power with a spectral line width of less than 1 kHz.
In long-distance trials, the system transmitted data at 184 Gbps per channel over 4,400 km using QPSK modulation with optical amplifiers. A higher-speed mode of 368 Gbps was achieved over 1,375 km using 16QAM modulation. The architecture allows for flexible switching between different transmission modes based on distance and speed requirements.
The platform features rapid channel switching, with the laser changing wavelengths in under 5 microseconds and data transmission resuming within 14 microseconds. While currently an experimental demonstration, the technology aims to integrate coherent silicon photonics into both backbone networks and high-speed connections within large-scale AI and computing clusters.
