{"version":1,"type":"story","url":"https://digestai.news/story/psiquantum-unveils-8x8-optical-switch-cutting-ai-data-center-losses-to","json":"https://digestai.news/story/psiquantum-unveils-8x8-optical-switch-cutting-ai-data-center-losses-to.json","markdown":"https://digestai.news/story/psiquantum-unveils-8x8-optical-switch-cutting-ai-data-center-losses-to.md","slug":"psiquantum-unveils-8x8-optical-switch-cutting-ai-data-center-losses-to","headline":"PsiQuantum unveils 8x8 optical switch cutting AI data center losses to 1.2 dB","summary":"PsiQuantum, a quantum computing firm, introduced an optical switch for AI data centers that loses only 1.2 dB of light in lab tests—about a quarter less than typical industry switches. The 8x8 prototype, which uses silicon photonics and no moving parts, outperforms competitors like Google’s MEMS-based Palomar in insertion loss but remains smaller, with plans for larger devices (64x64 and 72x72 in development). The switch avoids electrical conversions, reducing latency and power use in GPU networks, a growing bottleneck as AI clusters expand.\n\nThe company cites its 2025 *Nature* paper, where silicon nitride waveguides lost as little as 0.5 dB per meter. PsiQuantum’s switch targets Nvidia’s 3 dB loss threshold and aligns with its CHIPS award for high-performance optical switches. While rivals like Salience Labs and iPronics offer amplified switches with under 2 dB loss, PsiQuantum’s approach—using thermally switched silicon nitride—aims for scalability without amplifiers. Nvidia, which collaborates with PsiQuantum, also invested in iPronics’ $125 million round for its second-gen optical switch. PsiQuantum expects commercial products and larger device updates in the coming months, though independent verification is pending.","keyPoints":["PsiQuantum’s 8x8 optical switch loses 1.2 dB of light, outperforming typical 3 dB industry loss in lab tests","Prototype uses silicon photonics with no moving parts, targeting Nvidia’s 3 dB loss threshold for GPU networks","Company plans 64x64 and 72x72 switches, citing scalable silicon nitride waveguides with <0.5 dB/m loss"],"whyItMatters":"Lower light loss in optical switches could reduce power and latency in AI data centers, easing GPU communication bottlenecks as clusters scale. PsiQuantum’s monolithic approach contrasts with competitors’ amplified or MEMS-based designs, potentially offering long-term advantages for high-bandwidth networking.","category":{"slug":"hardware","name":"Hardware & Compute","url":"https://digestai.news/category/hardware"},"entities":{"companies":["PsiQuantum","Google","Lumentum","Salience Labs","iPronics","Nvidia"],"models":[],"people":["Rob Soderbery","Pete Shadbolt"]},"firstPublishedAt":"2026-10-30T14:30:00Z","updatedAt":"2026-10-30T14:30:00Z","sourceCount":1,"hasPrimarySource":false,"sources":[{"outlet":"Tom's Hardware","title":"PsiQuantum turns its photonics know-how into an optical switch for supercharging AI data center GPU networks — 8x8 lab prototype loses less light than rivals, with plans to develop larger devices","url":"https://tomshardware.com/tech-industry/photonics/psiquantum-turns-its-photonics-know-how-into-an-optical-switch-for-supercharging-ai-data-center-gpu-networks-8x8-lab-prototype-loses-less-light-than-rivals-with-plans-to-develop-larger-devices","publishedAt":"2026-10-30T14:30:00Z","type":"press","primary":false,"lead":true}],"sourceNotes":null,"discussions":[],"thread":null,"cite":{"text":"Digest AI, \"PsiQuantum unveils 8x8 optical switch cutting AI data center losses to 1.2 dB\", 30 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/psiquantum-unveils-8x8-optical-switch-cutting-ai-data-center-losses-to","publisher":"Digest AI","title":"PsiQuantum unveils 8x8 optical switch cutting AI data center losses to 1.2 dB","datePublished":"2026-10-30T14:30:00Z","url":"https://digestai.news/story/psiquantum-unveils-8x8-optical-switch-cutting-ai-data-center-losses-to"},"generatedBy":"Written by Digest AI's editorial model from the linked sources; the sources are the record.","license":"Headlines, digests and key points are written by Digest AI and may be quoted with a link to the story page. Linked articles belong to their publishers. Terms: https://digestai.news/terms#reuse"}