Our technology
Rethinking optical systems
Thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) sits at the core of our platform, pushing integrated photonics beyond what conventional materials allow. When performance is the deciding factor, TFLN provides the foundation for faster, more precise and more robust optical systems.
The traditional optical system paradigm
Traditional optical systems rely on discrete components — lasers, lenses, modulators, and detectors — that must be individually aligned and packaged. This approach drove decades of progress but creates significant constraints as system complexity and requirements advance.
Bulkier and more complex: More advanced functions mean bigger, harder-to-assemble systems.
Costly to scale: High-volume production is expensive.
Performance limitations: Misalignment, vibration, and temperature swings can limit stability and overall performance.
The integrated photonics shift
Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) change the equation. Entire optical systems are built on a single chip, similar to how application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) transformed electronics. PICs change how light can be generated, manipulated and detected, all in a compact, stable platform. A good example is the impact silicon photonics had in optical communication, now applied across industries.
Why it matters:
Size reduction:
Optical benches shrunk to chips smaller than a coin.
Mass manufacturing:
Wafer-scale production cuts costs and boosts consistency.
Rock-solid reliability:
No moving parts. Fewer failure points. Can be used in the harshest environments.
Simplified design:
Complex optics, built in. No intricate optical assemblies. PICs scale as needs grow.
Why thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN)?
While silicon gets most of the spotlight, TFLN steps in when performance is non-negotiable.
Broad wavelength range:
Operates from visible to mid-infrared
(400 nm to 4000 nm).
Low optical losses:
Propagation losses below 0.1 dB/cm in compact waveguides, enabling dense circuits with hundreds of components per chip.
Superior electro-optic response:
Linear response with ultrafast modulation beyond 100 GHz and low power consumption.
Non-linear capabilities:
Strong second-order non-linearity enables frequency conversion and quantum state generation.
Choosing TFLN reflects a focus on performance more than rock-bottom cost. TFLN enables the high-performance devices that define next-generation photonic systems.
