News: Optoelectronics
13 October 2026
Lumentum, Astera Labs and Corning demo 1060nm VCSEL-based PCIe-over-optics for AI rack-scale connectivity at OCP Global Summit
Lumentum Holdings Inc of San Jose, CA, USA (which designs and makes optical and photonic products for optical networks and lasers), Astera Labs Inc (which provides rack-scale AI infrastructure through purpose-built connectivity solutions) and Corning Inc are giving a joint demonstration of PCIe-over-optics connectivity for AI rack-scale architectures in Astera Labs’ booth #B34 at the 2026 Open Compute Project (OCP) Global Summit at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center (12–15 October). The rack-level demonstration combines an Astera Labs Scorpio Smart Fabric Switch with Lumentum’s 1060nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL)-based optical interconnect platform and Corning multi-mode fiber connectivity.
The demonstration showcases fully operational optical links that use VCSEL transmitters and photodetectors to extend PCIe connectivity within an AI rack. By transporting PCIe over many parallel optical channels, the architecture is designed to help address the reach, cable density, signal integrity, power and thermal constraints that can limit conventional electrical interconnects as rack-scale AI systems grow.
The optical interconnect uses high-density 1060nm VCSEL and photodetector arrays implemented with advanced packaging, including two-dimensional arrays with backside lens technology. Built on Lumentum’s ultra-high-volume manufacturing platform in 3D sensing for smartphone devices, it is designed to support high bandwidth density, strong signal integrity, and efficient optical connectivity for rack-level AI architectures.
Astera Labs’ Scorpio Smart Fabric Switch provides the switching element for the demonstration, showing how optical connectivity can extend reach within rack-scale AI systems while preserving a PCIe-based architecture.
The proof-of-concept system is designed to demonstrate multiple 32Gb/s NRZ optical channels over Corning multi-mode fiber and an error-free PCIe-5 link. The configuration combines a high-density Lumentum optical engine with Astera Labs’ Scorpio Smart Fabric Switch in a rack-representative system arrangement.
“AI infrastructure is pushing optical connectivity closer to the compute system where reach, density and power represent significant challenges,” says Lumentum’s chief technology officer Matt Sysak. “This demonstration with Astera Labs and Corning shows how Lumentum’s 1060nm VCSEL platform can extend PCIe connectivity and unlock a whole new class of functionality,” he adds.
“As AI clusters scale to unprecedented levels, we are breaking the constraints of single rack-level architectures,” says Adit Narasimha, senior VP, Signal Connectivity Group, Astera Labs. “This demonstration shows how VCSEL-based front-end optics are enabled by Astera Labs' Scorpio Smart Fabric Switch and COSMOS link intelligence to deliver lower latency, improve power efficiency, increase bandwidth density, and overcome connectivity bottlenecks across rack-scale AI systems,” he adds.
“As optical links move closer to compute devices, fiber connectivity must support increasing density, precision and scalability,” says Claude Echahamian, VP & general manager, Emerging Businesses and EMEA, Corning Optical Communications. “Corning’s multi-mode fiber solutions and industry-leading MMC connectivity help enable this demonstration and support the evolution of high-density optical interconnects for AI infrastructure. As AI clusters continue to grow in size and complexity, Corning is committed to developing fiber and connectivity technologies that enable emerging compute networks and smart fabric architectures.”
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