EPFL demos ~100GHz-spacing TFLT WDM modulator chip; expert doubts CPO fit
jwt0625 · x · 2026-10-24
EPFL demonstrated a thin-film lithium tantalate (TFLT) WDM modulator chip with 100 GHz channel spacing (images show the layout, 8-channel 192.6–193.2 THz spectra, and wafer/coin scale). An industry commentator argues that despite the good story, TFLN/TFLT wins on insertion loss and bandwidth rather than footprint, and the poor AWG mux/demux kills that advantage — making CPO integration unlikely. Realistic path: pluggable modules, possibly NPO with folded electrodes. Monolithic TFLN pluggables likely start early 2028; the chip for 3.2T 400GPL DR8 is nearly trivial to make. Heterogeneous TFLN on SiPho is another 2-3 years out. Also notes bulk LN wafers are used for AR glasses, wonders why not bulk LT.
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