PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1653377
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1653377
Silicon photonics is an innovative technology that involves the transfer of data among computer chips using optical rays. Optical rays have the capability to carry large amounts of data in a shorter time compared to electrical conductors. Semiconductor-grade silicon is employed in silicon photonics to integrate both active and passive photonic circuits with electronic components. This technology focuses on the study and application of photonic systems for generating, processing, manipulating, and facilitating faster data transfer within and between microchips.
The primary product types in silicon photonics include transceivers, variable optical attenuators, switches, cables, and sensors. Transceivers play a crucial role in silicon photonics by providing high-bandwidth, software-configurable access to computing and storage. This eliminates networking bottlenecks observed in traditional electronics, preventing stranded computation capacity and allowing for significantly faster data transport over larger distances. Key components of silicon photonics include a laser, modulator, photodetector, filter, and waveguide. The diverse applications of silicon photonics span data centers and high-performance computing, telecommunication, military, defense, and aerospace, medical and life sciences, and other sectors.
The Silicon Photonics market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides Silicon Photonics market statistics, including Silicon Photonics industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a Silicon Photonics market share, detailed Silicon Photonics market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the Silicon Photonics industry. This Silicon Photonics market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the industry.
The silicon photonics market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $2.33 billion in 2024 to $2.88 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in data centers and optical communication, high-speed data transmission demands, technological advancements in silicon photonics, energy-efficient and cost-effective data solutions, telecom and cloud computing industry growth, expansion in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The silicon photonics market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.22 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to 5g infrastructure and optical networking, hyperscale data centers and edge computing, silicon photonics for ai accelerators, automotive lidar and ADAS applications, medical imaging and bio photonics, quantum communication and computing. Major trends in the forecast period include integrated silicon photonics with electronics, co-packaged optics and optical asics, photonic ai and neuromorphic computing, quantum photonic processors, silicon photonics for lidar in autonomous vehicles, flexible and reconfigurable photonic circuits.
The growing number of data centers is anticipated to drive the expansion of the silicon photonics market in the coming years. Data centers are facilities that house computer systems, servers, and networking equipment, enabling the storage, processing, and management of large volumes of digital information to support various online services and applications. Silicon photonics technology in data centers improves high-speed data transmission by integrating optical components onto silicon chips, facilitating faster and more energy-efficient communication between servers and minimizing latency. For example, a report from the Campfil Group, a US-based air filter company, indicated that the number of data centers in the US reached 2,751 in 2022. Additionally, there are 484 data centers in Germany, 458 in the UK, 447 in China, and 324 in Canada. Consequently, the rising number of data centers is projected to stimulate growth in the silicon photonics market during the forecast period.
The escalating number of data centers is anticipated to be a significant driver for the silicon photonics market. Data centers, housing computer systems and networking equipment, are vital for managing extensive digital information. Silicon photonics enhances data transmission within data centers by integrating optical components onto silicon chips, facilitating faster and energy-efficient communication between servers and reducing latency. The United States International Trade Commission highlighted that as of January 2021, there were around 8,000 data centers worldwide, with over 2,600 in the United States. This trend is expected to propel the silicon photonics market forward.
Leading companies in the silicon photonics market are concentrating on creating high-speed solutions, such as silicon photonics engines, to improve data transmission speeds and energy efficiency in telecommunications. A silicon photonics engine is an advanced device that combines optical components and electronics on a single chip to facilitate rapid and efficient data transmission for applications in telecommunications, data centers, and AI. For example, in September 2024, DustPhotonics, an Israeli manufacturer of optical products, unveiled the first merchant silicon photonics engine designed for 1.6 TB/s DR8 applications, targeting AI and hyperscale data centers. This engine comprises eight channels, each capable of 224G, and an alternative version with four channels for 800Gb/s DR4 applications. Both models integrate on-board lasers utilizing DustPhotonics' patented L3C technology, providing advantages such as simplified design, low power dissipation, reduced optical loss, and cost savings. The standard product supports distances of up to 2 km, while a more affordable version for short-reach applications (up to 100 m) employs a single laser. These devices are also appropriate for linear receive optics (LRO) and linear pluggable optics (LPO) applications, as well as immersion cooling setups.
Major companies in the silicon photonics market are concentrating on developing silicon photonics platforms with integrated lasers to gain a competitive advantage. These platforms, equipped with integrated lasers, offer faster data transmission and energy-efficient communication in compact, integrated systems. OpenLight Photonics Inc. introduced the world's first open silicon photonics platform with integrated lasers in June 2022, aiming to accelerate the development of high-performance photonic integrated circuits (PICs). This innovation streamlines manufacturing processes by eliminating the need for independently sourced lasers.
In November 2023, Jabil Inc., a US-based electronics manufacturing firm, acquired Intel Corporation's Silicon Photonics Business for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is intended to bolster Jabil's capabilities in advanced optical interconnect technology, which is crucial for addressing the increasing demand for high-speed data transfer in data centers, telecommunications, and other applications. Intel Corporation is a US-based technology company that specializes in silicon photonics solutions.
Major companies operating in the silicon photonics market include Acacia Communications Inc., Broadcom Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc., Finisar Corporation, Globalfoundries Inc., International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), II-VI Incorporated, Inphi Corporation, Intel Corporation, Juniper Networks Inc., Mellanox Technologies Ltd., NeoPhotonics Corporation, Ranovus Inc., Rockley Photonics Ltd., Sicoya GmbH, Luxtera Inc., Reflex Photonics Inc., Lumentum Operations LLC, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Fujitsu Limited, AIO Core Co. Ltd., NKT Photonics A/S, Infinera Corporation, IPG Photonics Corporation, STMicroelectronics N.V., Ciena Corporation, Kotura Inc., Oclaro Inc., Skorpios Technologies Inc., Silicon Line GmbH, Lightwave Logic Inc., Kaiam Corporation, O-Net Technologies (Group) Limited, POET Technologies Inc.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the silicon photonics market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the silicon photonics market analysis report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, and Africa.
The countries covered in the Silicon Photonics market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.
The silicon photonics market consists of sales of switches, transceivers, cables, variable optical attenuators, and other silicon photonics. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Silicon Photonics Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on silicon photonics market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for silicon photonics ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The silicon photonics market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.