PsiQuantum launches optical circuit switch based on silicon photonics. With losses as low as 1 dB, the 8x8 platform is suitable for AI infrastructure. 03 November 2026 An 8x8-radix demonstration vehicle built on a low-loss, silicon photonics platform. Credit: PsiQuantum. Quantum computing company PsiQuantum, based in Palo Alto, California, which is developing quantum computers based on silicon photonics, has launched its Optical Circuit Switching (OCS) technology. This is said to demonstrate how the company's a low-loss silicon photonics platform can be applied to some of the most significant scaling challenges facing AI infrastructure. AI systems are said to be scaling faster than computing infrastructure, with increasingly large pools of compute placing enormous demands on the networks connecting them. As moving data efficiently between these systems becomes a fundamental constraint for continued AI scaling, the computing industry is increasingly turning to optics to provide faster, more efficient, and scalable connectivity. PsiQuantum's first released OCS is an 8 x 8-radix demonstration vehicle based on the low-loss, silicon photonics platform that the company has spent nearly a decade developing for utility-scale quantum computing. Testing conducted in PsiQuantum's labs has shown typical results of 1.2 dB of insertion loss, 40 dB cross talk, and less than 3 ms of reconfiguration time, all exceeding initial targets set for these devices and without amplification. The company is now sharing samples of its demonstration vehicle with select prospective customers and advancing the platform toward commercial products that will be announced in the coming months. PsiQuantum stated that it has pursued performance requirements for fault-tolerant quantum computing that exceed many of those required for optical switching in AI data centers. AI and quantum computing are complementary technologies: more efficient AI infrastructure can accelerate the development and operation of quantum systems, while some advances made for quantum computing can help remove bottlenecks in AI infrastructure. As optics make AI infrastructure more efficient, stronger AI infrastructure can in turn support the design, control, and operation of increasingly capable quantum systems. "This opportunity exists because we chose to solve the hardest scaling problems at the beginning of our roadmap to utility-scale quantum computing," said Victor Peng, Chief Executive Officer of PsiQuantum. "As AI computing pushes infrastructure to its limits, we now have an opportunity to put our state-of-the-art technology to work today while continuing toward our ultimate goal: building and deploying the world's first useful, fault-tolerant quantum computers." Growth sector Rob Soderbery, Executive Vice President, added, "AI is driving extraordinary growth in the scale and complexity of computing infrastructure, and optics will play an increasingly important role in enabling that growth. We have spent nearly a decade developing silicon photonics against some of the most demanding requirements imaginable. What we are demonstrating today is that this platform can deliver exceptional performance for optical circuit switching for AI computing." PsiQuantum has also developed barium titanate (BTO) integration at the 300mm wafer scale and uses a 64 x 64 BTO switch in its quantum systems. BTO is not required for the demonstration vehicle or initial products announced today, highlighting the performance of the underlying silicon photonics platform while preserving an additional path to faster, more advanced future products. The announcement comes amid growing recognition of the transformative potential of PsiQuantum's breakthroughs in high-performance optical switching. In September 2026, PsiQuantum announced that the company had signed definitive documentation with the U.S. Department of Commerce to accelerate the research and development, domestic manufacturability, and performance of its state-of-the-art critical components, including high-performance optical switches.

PsiQuantum's optical circuit switch promises AI data center revolution. 10/29/2026 PsiQuantum has unveiled an optical circuit switch that could enhance the efficiency of AI data centers. This innovation, leveraging the company's expertise in quantum computing, may improve how data centers manage signal routing between GPUs, according to Semafor. Breakthrough in AI data centers. The new device developed by PsiQuantum is designed to route optical signals without converting them into electrical signals, a process that traditionally generates heat and consumes energy. This advancement could enable data centers to achieve speed-of-light connections between server racks, potentially reducing energy consumption and heat generation, as reported by Superpower Daily. PsiQuantum's prototype has demonstrated an insertion loss of just 1.2 decibels, which surpasses typical industry values around two to three decibels. This low insertion loss means fewer photons escape during transport, maintaining signal integrity and efficiency, as noted by Semafor. Implications for AI infrastructure. The introduction of PsiQuantum's optical circuit switch could address one of the critical bottlenecks in AI data centers: the limitations of copper wiring. As AI models grow in complexity, the need for efficient data transfer between GPUs becomes increasingly vital. PsiQuantum's technology could facilitate this by allowing separate data center racks to function as a single unit, enhancing compute density and energy efficiency. Currently, Google is noted as a major hyperscaler deploying purely optical circuit switching in AI data centers, utilizing MEMS technology. PsiQuantum's device may offer a competitive alternative, potentially setting a new standard in the industry, according to Semafor. Strategic takeaways. For tech leaders, PsiQuantum's innovation presents an opportunity to optimize AI data center performance. By reducing energy consumption and improving processing speeds, companies can achieve greater efficiency and sustainability in their operations. This development also highlights the growing interest in integrating quantum technologies with AI applications, a trend that could influence future data center infrastructure. As the AI race intensifies, the shift towards photonics in data centers is becoming more pronounced. Companies like Lightmatter and Nvidia are also investing in optics computing, underscoring the strategic importance of this technology in maintaining competitive advantage. In conclusion, PsiQuantum's optical circuit switch represents an advancement in AI data center technology, providing insight into the future of quantum-enhanced computing infrastructure.

PsiQuantum sets the stage for revolutionary quantum computing with Optical Circuit Switch. Press play to listen to this content PsiQuantum is making significant waves with its latest unveiling - an Optical Circuit Switch (OCS) technology that could redefine the landscape of both quantum and AI architectures. Merging decades of research and cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing, PsiQuantum has introduced an 8x8 OCS demonstration vehicle, built on a robust low-loss silicon photonics platform. This groundbreaking development stems from the company's steadfast commitment to creating utility-scale quantum computing solutions. The details emerging from PsiQuantum's lab testing highlight impressive industry benchmarks: an insertion loss of only 1.2 dB, 40 dB cross talk, and speedy reconfiguration times clocking in at under 3 milliseconds. These factors not only position PsiQuantum as a leader in the quantum technology space but also emphasize the transformative potential of its innovations. The team at PsiQuantum has spent over a decade refining their silicon photonics technology, pushing the boundaries beyond current standards. This dedication to innovation is evident as they integrate high-volume semiconductor manufacturing at global foundries, a move essential to meeting the rigorous demands of fault-tolerant quantum computing. Why is this important now? As AI architectures grow at an unprecedented rate, their performance is increasingly hampered by network interconnect limitations. In many systems, the network must expand threefold in tandem with the GPU count to maintain performance. This is where PsiQuantum's photonic breakthroughs become crucial - they promise significant advancements in network efficiency, adeptly supporting the burgeoning needs of future AI systems. PsiQuantum's OCS initiative is more than just a technological achievement; it's a strategic move to align quantum advancements with contemporary AI requirements. Presently, PsiQuantum is collaborating with industry partners to explore larger devices, aspiring to power the next era of AI architecture. The foundational vision of PsiQuantum, utility-scale fault-tolerant quantum computing, has indeed remained unchanged. However, this vision now expands to leverage their technological breakthroughs, gradually shaping the future of computing. As they share samples with select prospect customers and prepare to commercialize the platform, one thing is clear - they're just getting started on a journey toward unprecedented computational horizons. For those eager to dig deeper into PsiQuantum's Optical Circuit Switch technology and its broader implications, more information can be found on their website.