The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) is pushing data center infrastructure right to its physical limits. Now, two Taiwanese photonics specialists—PlayNitride and Brillink—are teaming up to tackle these challenges by rethinking short-reach optical interconnects.
They’re combining advanced microLED emitters with highly sensitive photodetectors plus some pretty novel optical architectures. The goal? Big improvements in energy efficiency, bandwidth density, and overall link performance.
Taiwanese Photonics Firms Join Forces for Next‑Generation Interconnects
Optical interconnects play a huge role in modern AI and HPC systems. Massive data flows need to move fast and efficiently between processors, accelerators, and memory.
Traditional electrical links just can’t keep up at high data rates—they struggle with power consumption and signal integrity. Even the optical solutions we’ve got now are hitting walls in terms of scalability and efficiency.
So, PlayNitride and Brillink have announced a strategic collaboration to break through these barriers. Their joint approach brings together high-efficiency green microLED light sources with ultra-sensitive GeSi avalanche photodiode (APD) arrays.
They’ve also layered in advanced metasurface optics and a proprietary coupling platform. It’s ambitious, for sure.
Why Green MicroLEDs Matter
Most current short-reach optical interconnects use blue or infrared emitters. PlayNitride’s choice of green microLEDs is a pretty intentional shift to tackle some fundamental optical headaches.
The companies say green wavelengths help cut down on loss and dispersion, which can otherwise limit link reach and drive up power use. This wavelength, combined with microLED tech, supports higher modulation efficiency and better energy performance.
That’s a big deal for dense AI workloads, where every milliwatt really does matter.
PlayNitride’s MicroLED Expertise Beyond Displays
People mostly know PlayNitride for its work in microLED displays. But its manufacturing chops are a perfect fit for photonic interconnects, too.
The company runs a 6-inch chip-on-wafer production line and has worked with epiwafer suppliers like Epistar for years. One standout aspect of PlayNitride’s process is removing the wafer substrate, which gives you ultra-thin microLED chips.
This enables:
From Display Pixels to Data Links
Techniques originally developed for high-resolution displays actually work really well for optical interconnects. Tight emitter uniformity and precise alignment are essential for scalable, high-density arrays, and that’s right in PlayNitride’s wheelhouse.
Brillink’s Role: Detection, Optics, and Coupling
On the receiver side, Brillink brings its “ultra-sensitive” GeSi APD arrays to the table. These arrays can detect extremely low optical power levels, which is crucial for longer reach and lower energy per bit in short-range links.
Brillink is also putting a lot of effort into metasurface optics and its 2D Array Vertical Coupling (2D‑AVC) platform. These technologies aim to improve array alignment accuracy, make manufacturing simpler, and boost long-term reliability.
Leadership and Industry Experience
Brillink and its related company Artilux are both led by CEO Erik Chen. He’s guided multiple collaborations across the photonics industry.
Their combined expertise in detectors and metalens technology gives the interconnect solution a real edge. It’s a partnership worth watching.
Targeting AI and HPC Data Centers
The collaboration zeroes in on short‑reach optical links under 50 meters. That’s a sweet spot for intra‑rack and rack‑to‑rack connections inside data centers.
The partners want to drive power consumption below 1 picojoule per bit. If they pull that off, it’ll beat most of what’s out there right now.
They’re blending efficient light generation, sharp detection, and careful optical coupling. With this combo, the PlayNitride–Brillink team puts Taiwan in the running as a major supplier of ultra‑low‑power, high‑density optical interconnects for AI and HPC workloads.
Here is the source article for this story: PlayNitride and Brillink collaborate on green microLED interconnects