Optics Beyond Communication: Enabling Scalable AI and Quantum Computing

This white paper discusses the evolving role of optics in data communication and computing, highlighting its competition with electronics. It outlines the historical context of optical communication, noting its advantages in long-reach links and the growing demand for bandwidth. The paper explains the components required for optical communication, including transceivers and optical switching, and details the efficiency of optical switching compared to electronic methods. The document also addresses the potential of optics in AI and quantum computing, emphasizing the advantages of optical qubits over superconducting qubits. It presents the current state of optical circuit switching technology, particularly focusing on MEMS-based switches and photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The paper concludes by summarizing the technology roadmap for optical communication and computing, indicating that optics is becoming increasingly crucial in these fields as integration challenges are resolved.