Polymer Waveguides Show Promise for Reliable Co-Packaged Optics in Next-Gen Data Systems

markrenngont

Co-packaged optics (CPO) technology, which integrates photonic integrated circuits (PICs) with electronic integrated circuits (EICs) like CPUs and GPUs on a single platform, holds transformative potential for enhancing data transmission efficiency in data centers and high-performance computing systems. A key component of CPO systems is the laser source, which can either be integrated directly into the silicon photonics platform or provided externally.

While integrated laser sources support compact CPO designs, they often pose reliability challenges. In contrast, external laser sources (ELS) enhance overall system robustness, making them a favorable choice for dependable operation.

In systems using ELS, single-mode polymer waveguides play a critical role in coupling light from external lasers into PICs and distributing optical signals throughout the system. These waveguides are not only cost-effective and mechanically flexible but also highly compatible with electronic circuitry—attributes that make them especially appealing for CPO architectures utilizing ELS.

https://github.com/AidenKLM/ATHENA-Blood-Twins-MOD-unlimited-diamonds-and-emeralds
https://github.com/BlakeRNW/Dark-War-Survival-unlimited-rubies-MOD-2025
https://github.com/BradyTDN/Asphalt-8-unlimited-money-and-tokens-latest-version
https://github.com/CalebGNS/Hill-Climb-Racing-unlimited-money-and-diamonds-and-paint-buckets-MOD
https://github.com/CarterSNB/Motorcycle-Real-Simulator-unlimited-money-MOD-2025
https://github.com/ColeDSB/Extreme-Car-Driving-Simulator-unlimited-money-and-VIP-Pass-2025
https://github.com/ConnorDVS/Moto-Rider-GO-Highway-Traffic-unlimited-money-MOD-2025
https://github.com/DylanKMP/Balkan-Drive-Zone-unlimited-money-MOD-2025
https://github.com/EthanBKT/Car-Parking-Multiplayer-2-unlimited-money-and-gold-MOD-2025
https://github.com/PaulHMB/OTR---Offroad-Car-Driving-Game-unlimited-money-unlock-all-cars-2025
https://github.com/JakeGNT/NFS-No-Limits-unlimited-money-and-gold-MOD-2025
https://github.com/JaxonLVB/Cars-Arena-Fast-Race-3D-MOD-unlimited-money
https://github.com/LeviAMT/Drift-2-Drag-MOD-unlimited-money-latest-version-2025
https://github.com/MasonBKT/Rally-Fury-unlimited-money-and-tokens-and-speed-MOD-2025
https://github.com/NathanKNW/Driving-School-Simulator-Evo-unlimited-money-2025
https://github.com/NolanGBT/Real-Racing-3-unlimited-money-and-gold-2025
https://github.com/ParkerGNS/Drift-Max-Pro-unlimited-money-and-gold-unlock-all-cars-2025
https://github.com/RyanHND/Driving-Zone-Germany-unlimited-money-MOD-2025
https://github.com/TylerGRT/Offroad-Outlaws-VIP-unlocked-unlimited-money-2025
https://github.com/DavidFND/Stunt-Car-Extreme-MOD-unlimited-money-and-gems
https://github.com/TylerDVS/Rebel-Racing-unlimited-money-gold-and-keys-latest-version
https://github.com/WadeTMD/Dyno-2-Race-unlimited-money-2025
https://github.com/ChrisGNW/My-Dream-Store-unlimited-money-and-gems-2025
https://github.com/AndrewTMD/Wasteland-Life-Survival-Idle-MOD-unlimited-money-and-gems
https://github.com/ChrisPGN/Pizza-Ready-unlimited-money-and-gems-unlocked-everything-2025
https://github.com/MarkLTN/Top-Eleven-2025-unlimited-tokens-MOD
https://github.com/KevinEMD/eFootball-2025-unlimited-coins
https://github.com/TerryABD/Score-Hero-unlimited-money-and-life-2025
https://github.com/RobertGRT/Real-Boxing-2-unlimited-diamonds-MOD-2025
https://github.com/WilliamPTB/The-Grand-Mafia-MOD-unlimited-gold-2025
https://github.com/DavidFMW/Forge-of-Empires-MOD-unlimited-diamonds-2025
https://github.com/ThomasDTS/Static-Shift-Racing-unlimited-money-and-gems-2025
https://github.com/MatthewPRT/Ultimate-Car-Driving-2-2025-unlimited-money-MOD
https://github.com/AndrewTNS/Drag-Racing-Streets-unlimited-money-MOD-latest-version
https://github.com/BrianMWA/Hero-Wars-Alliance-unlimited-money-and-gems-latest-version
https://github.com/KevinGCT/Shadow-Fight-4-Arena-unlimited-everything-and-max-level-MOD-2025
https://github.com/StevenBKN/Shadow-Fight-3-unlimited-gems-and-shadow-energy-MOD-2025
https://github.com/JoshBNG/Assoluto-Racing-unlimited-money-2025
https://github.com/KevinBKT/CarX-Highway-Racing-unlimited-money-MOD-2025
https://github.com/JeffreyTKT/Beach-Buggy-Racing-unlimited-money-and-gems-2025-MOD
https://github.com/JasonGMB/Universal-Truck-Simulator-unlimited-money-2025-MOD
https://github.com/PatrickDFK/Truck-Simulator-USA-Revolution-unlimited-money-MOD-2025
https://github.com/AdamFNG/APEX-Racer-unlimited-money-and-gold-MOD-2025
https://github.com/NathanWDN/F1-Clash-2025-unlimited-money-MOD
https://github.com/ChrisJNK/Pocket-Champs-MOD-unlimited-money-and-gems-latest-version
https://github.com/DavidHKD/Pocket-Styler-unlimited-money-and-gems-latest-version-2025



A recent study led by Dr. Satoshi Suda from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan, explored the performance and reliability of single-mode polymer waveguides fabricated on glass-epoxy substrates (FR4)—a standard material used in printed circuit boards. The results, published in the Journal of Lightwave Technology, highlight several favorable properties of these waveguides that support their integration into future CPO systems.

“Polymer waveguides show strong potential for use in demanding CPO systems,” said Dr. Suda. “That’s why we thoroughly evaluated their fundamental optical properties on a practical substrate.”

The team used direct laser writing to fabricate 11-mm-long waveguides with precisely controlled core dimensions (9.0 µm × 7.0 µm), well-matched to standard single-mode optical fibers. The waveguides demonstrated low polarization-dependent loss (PDL) and low differential group delay (DGD)—two key metrics that contribute to stable, distortion-free signal transmission.

Testing across eight fabricated samples confirmed excellent uniformity, consistent insertion loss, and stable mode field dimensions, indicating these waveguides could serve as energy-efficient and scalable optical interconnects in high-density CPO environments.

The waveguides also exhibited a high polarization extinction ratio (PER) of more than 20 dB across all CWDM4-standard wavelengths (1271, 1291, 1311, and 1331 nm), exceeding the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) specifications for ELS-based CPO systems.

Importantly, the team evaluated thermal stability under high-power conditions. After six continuous hours of operation using an ELS from Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., the waveguides showed no significant power degradation or overheating—reinforcing their durability and performance reliability in demanding real-world applications.

“These findings demonstrate the strong potential of polymer waveguides for practical deployment in CPO systems,” concluded Dr. Suda. “They provide a solid foundation for advancing next-generation optical communication technologies that demand both high density and high capacity.”