Key Findings
PsiQuantum has demonstrated an 8×8-radix optical circuit switching (OCS) vehicle designed to address scaling challenges in AI data center connectivity. The system utilizes a low-loss silicon photonics platform developed over nearly a decade for utility-scale quantum computing. The company is currently sharing demonstration samples with selected prospective customers and is developing commercial products.
Technical Details
Testing conducted in PsiQuantum’s laboratories reported the following performance metrics without the use of optical amplification:
- Insertion Loss: 1.2 dB
- Crosstalk Performance: 40 dB
- Reconfiguration Time: Less than 3 milliseconds
While the current demonstration vehicle relies on the underlying silicon photonics platform, PsiQuantum has also developed barium titanate (BTO) integration at the 300mm wafer scale. The company already employs a 64×64 BTO switch within its quantum systems, representing a path toward faster, more advanced future products.
Background & Context
The technology stems from PsiQuantum’s pursuit of fault-tolerant quantum computing, which requires performance standards that exceed those typically required for AI data center optical switching. In September 2026, the company signed definitive documentation with the U.S. Department of Commerce to accelerate the research, development, and domestic manufacturability of critical components, including high-performance optical switches.
Significance & Outlook
As AI compute pools grow, the efficiency of data movement between systems has become a fundamental constraint. PsiQuantum positions AI and quantum computing as complementary: efficient AI infrastructure accelerates the operation of quantum systems, while quantum-grade optical breakthroughs remove bottlenecks in AI networks. The company intends to commercialize these OCS products in the coming months while continuing its primary objective of deploying the world’s first useful, fault-tolerant quantum computers.
Source: https://thequantuminsider.com/2026/10/28/psiquantum-optical-circuit-switch-ai-data-centers/
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