POET: POET Debuts Compact C-Band Light Source

POET Technologies has introduced its new POET Starlight C-Band LightBar, a packaged light source designed to power next-generation AI and data center co-packaged optics (CPO) modules. The Starlight C-Band LightBar is a high-density laser array optimized for AI workloads and high-performance computing (HPC) applications, targeting data centers requiring energy-efficient, scalable optical interconnects. Built using POET's proprietary Optical Interposer platform, the LightBar delivers CW (continuous wave) lasers directly coupled into optical engines, enabling significant reductions in size, power, and cost compared to discrete laser solutions.The Starlight C-Band LightBar features up to 16 laser channels within a compact module, operating across the full C-band spectrum to support 800G and higher-speed transceivers needed for AI-driven data center networks. The integration of POET's optical interposer eliminates the need for fiber coupling and complex alignment, offering a streamlined, surface-mountable component that simplifies optical engine manufacturing and enhances reliability. The product is designed to meet demand for high-volume, low-power laser sources for CPO and optical I/O applications as data centers increasingly shift toward disaggregated architectures optimized for AI and ML workloads.This launch marks another milestone for POET's Optical Interposer technology, which enables wafer-scale integration of photonics and electronics on a single platform. POET plans to begin sampling the Starlight C-Band LightBar with select customers, targeting applications in AI infrastructure, hyperscale data centers, and next-generation optical switches.• POET Technologies launches Starlight C-Band LightBar for AI data center and CPO modules.• High-density CW laser array integrates up to 16 lasers across the C-band spectrum.• Built on POET's Optical Interposer platform for compact, energy-efficient, and cost-effective integration.• Enables simplified manufacturing of CPO and optical I/O modules for AI and HPC workloads.• Sampling now available, targeting hyperscale data centers and next-gen optical switches."The POET Starlight C-Band LightBar delivers an innovative, scalable light source that addresses the growing power and performance demands of AI-driven networks," said Vivek Rajgarhia, President & General Manager of POET Technologies.POET Debuts Compact C-Band Light Source