TSMC to accelerate silicon photonics development for AI computing
The initiative aims to tackle challenges in energy efficiency and AI computing power.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), in collaboration with leading global chip designers and suppliers such as Broadcom and Nvidia, is focusing on developing advanced silicon photonics technology. This initiative has gained momentum due to the increasing demand for faster data transmission speeds driven by the rise of AI applications. TSMC has established a dedicated R&D team of over 200 employees to explore high-speed computing chips based on silicon photonics, with production expected to commence in the second half of next year.
TSMC’s efforts aim to solve critical challenges in energy efficiency and AI computing power, positioning silicon photonics as a transformative force in the semiconductor industry. The company also targets a range of chip processes, from 45 to 7 nm, with mass production anticipated by 2025.
The silicon photonics market is projected to grow substantially, with significant developments expected as early as 2024. TSMC’s partnerships with major customers are crucial for advancing this technology, and it is poised to revolutionise applications across CPUs, GPUs, and other computing processes. As the semiconductor industry continues to evolve, TSMC’s commitment to silicon photonics underscores its role as a leader in shaping the future of high-speed data communication and AI innovations.
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