Rockley Photonics and Hengtong Optic-Electric form joint venture to deliver next-generation silicon-photonics optical modules

Jan. 10, 2018
Optical modules will incorporate Rockley's monolithic fiber-attach technology and an all-CMOS electrical chipset.

Silicon-photonics maker Rockley Photonics (Pasadena, CA and Oxford, England) has announced a joint venture with Hengtong Optic-Electric (Shanghai, China) to manufacture high-performance optical-transceiver modules based on Rockley's silicon-photonics technology.

The joint venture was established around a $42 million co-investment led by Hengtong Optic-Electric, a fiber-optic cable manufacturer, and will commercialize Rockley Photonics' photonics technology for networking applications. The resulting silicon-photonics optical modules are intended for high-speed data communications including carrier networks, internet data centers, high performance computing, and deep-learning applications.

The new products will incorporate Rockley Photonics' technology for high-density optical integration with monolithic fiber-attach techniques and an all-CMOS electrical chipset, which the company says will lead to photonic optical transceiver modules delivering lower power and high manufacturing efficiencies.

"Silicon-photonic technology is reshaping the economic structure of the optical module market," says Weiming Shi, announcer of Hengtong Optic-Electric and general manager of Jiangsu Hengtong Optical Network Technology. "The joint venture will employ Hengtong's advanced R&D into optical modules and intelligent manufacturing technology, along with Rockley's worldwide first-class silicon photonic technology platform."

The global optical network hardware market is forecast to grow to USD 24.99 billion by 2021, at a compound growth rate of close to 13%, according to research published by Technavio (London, England).

Source: Rockley Photonics

About the Author

John Wallace | Senior Technical Editor (1998-2022)

John Wallace was with Laser Focus World for nearly 25 years, retiring in late June 2022. He obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and physics at Rutgers University and a master's in optical engineering at the University of Rochester. Before becoming an editor, John worked as an engineer at RCA, Exxon, Eastman Kodak, and GCA Corporation.

Sponsored Recommendations

Achromatic Lenses: High-Quality Custom Optics

March 13, 2025
Ensure clarity and accuracy in your optics systems with Lacroix’s achromatic lenses. Explore how our custom solutions minimize chromatic aberration for perfect results.

Manufacturing Considerations for Tolerancing Aspheres

March 13, 2025
Understand the critical factors in manufacturing aspheres and how Lacroix Optics ensures precise tolerancing in every optical component.

Explore Our Videos: Insights into Precision Optics

March 13, 2025
Get an inside look at Lacroix Optics with our collection of informative videos showcasing our capabilities, innovations, and processes.

Optical Assemblies: Reliable and Precise Solutions

March 13, 2025
Ensure your optical system works seamlessly with Lacroix Optics' custom optical assemblies. Discover the precision and reliability we bring to every project.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!