POET Technologies and Quantum Computing Inc. announced a partnership on November 11, 2025 to co‑develop 400G/Lane thin‑film lithium niobate (TFLN) modulators that will enable 3.2 Tbps optical engines. The collaboration combines QCi’s expertise in TFLN technology with POET’s wafer‑level Optical Interposer platform, a core component of POET’s product strategy that allows high‑density photonic integration on silicon.
The new modulators will double the data‑transfer speed of current 1.6 Tbps engines, positioning the joint product for AI systems and hyperscale data centers that demand ultra‑high bandwidth and low latency. By embedding the TFLN modulators directly onto POET’s interposer, the partnership aims to reduce insertion loss, improve power efficiency, and lower manufacturing cost compared with discrete component solutions.
The 3.2 Tbps pluggable and CPO market is projected to reach nearly $12 billion by 2030, according to a LightCounting report. The partnership therefore targets a rapidly expanding segment that is driven by the explosive growth of AI workloads, cloud services, and edge computing. The ability to deliver 400G per lane in a compact, wafer‑level package gives POET and QCi a competitive edge in a market where bandwidth is a key differentiator.
Financially, POET’s Q2 2025 results showed an EPS of –$0.21 and revenue of $0.27 million, both below estimates, but the company remains cash‑rich with a current ratio of 1.89 and a recent $150 million direct offering. QCi’s Q3 2024 revenue was $101 k, a 9% increase from $50 k the previous year, while the company posted a net loss of $5.7 million. QCi also raised $7 million in secured convertible debt in Q3 2024 and is currently facing a class‑action lawsuit alleging inflated claims about its technology and partnerships.
Management emphasized the strategic fit of the collaboration. POET Executive Chairman and CEO Dr. Suresh Venkatesan said, “A 400G/Lane optical modulator that incorporates TFLN will be a radical step forward for the industry.” QCi CTO Dr. Yong Meng Sua highlighted that POET’s interposer is essential for achieving commercially viable 400G/Lane modulators, adding, “The partnership accelerates our roadmap and brings us closer to a scalable, high‑speed solution.”
While the partnership offers a clear path to a high‑growth market, the legal challenges facing QCi introduce a risk factor that could affect the execution timeline. Nonetheless, the joint effort leverages POET’s proven platform and QCi’s material‑level expertise, positioning both companies to capture a significant share of the emerging 3.2 Tbps optical engine market.
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