Innovation Pipeline

Optical networking devices rely on a complex system of filters and switches to receive, separate and send data signals to their appropriate destinations. Currently the data signals are routed by electronic circuits. But circuits that make use of photonic crystal technology offer significant advantages.

A photonic crystal is a nanoscale crystal that acts like a mirror to efficiently reflect a specific wavelength of light. It enables optical devices to bend light signals around sharp corners with lower energy loss.

The more components needed in an optical networking device, the more difficult and costly it is to manufacture and the more points there are where data transmission can fail. Photonic crystal technology makes optical devices more powerful without adding steps to the traditional semiconductor manufacturing process.

Carlsbad, California-based Luxtera is developing a nanophotonic chip that combines semiconductor and photonic crystal technology. Its multi-data-channel switching system on a single chip promises greater control, flexibility and speed of transmission in optical networking devices, as well as lower cost, by cutting the number of components necessary.

Luxtera plans to sell its chip to original-equipment manufacturers in the computing (Intel, IBM) and telecommunications (Cisco Systems, Ciena) fields, as well as to the U.S. Department of Defense, says Roger Merel, Luxtera’s vice president of product strategy. Luxtera has no timetable for a product release, although it will not be soon, Merel concedes.

The worldwide market for integrated optical components is expected to grow from $13.4 million in 2001 to $2.6 billion in 2005, according to Communications Industry Researchers, an optical networking consulting firm. Luxtera’s primary competitors in the field include BlazePhotonics and the research departments at Intel and Corning.

A photonic crystal is made by drilling holes in dielectric plates to form a structure similar to that of a diamond. The process is not easy and high-volume production of photonic crystals remains a challenge.

Luxtera was founded in 2001 by California Institute of Technology professor Axel Scherer and UCLA professor Eli Yablonovitch. Scherer leads Caltech’s nanofabrication research efforts; Yablonovitch invented the photonic crystal.

Luxtera has raised $22 million in venture capital in two rounds from Sevin Rosen Funds, August Capital, ITU Ventures and New Enterprise Assoc., and $2 million from an unspecified corporate investor. Luxtera also has won government grants of $2 million from the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Advanced Technology Program and $500,00 from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

Analysis: Industry watchers are in agreement that nanophotonics could enable faster computer networks capable of carrying hundreds of times more data. “It’s definitely possible,� says one analyst. But he questions exactly when it will happen. Two years ago, one of Luxtera’s venture investors told the Los Angeles Business Times that a product would be ready for market sometime in 2004. Luxtera has since postponed indefintely its product release. Still, many industry watchers believe Luxtera could be the company that resolves many of the thorny problems slowing broadband and helps it reach its potential.