西部证券晨会纪要-20251204

Core Conclusions - The report emphasizes that companies that are the first to enter mass production of silicon photonic modules are likely to enjoy high margins during the industry's acceleration phase and benefit from market share consolidation [1][8] - Leading silicon photonic module manufacturers are expected to receive priority supply chain support, with key materials such as silicon photonic chips and CW light sources likely to see accelerated domestic substitution and market share breakthroughs [1][8] Industry Overview - Since 2025, the optical module industry has maintained high prosperity due to the continuous growth in AI computing demand. Silicon photonic modules are gaining recognition from end customers due to their high integration, low energy consumption, and low cost. Additionally, silicon photonic solutions are becoming a key supplement to capacity supply amid shortages of EML raw materials [5] - Silicon photonic technology is currently in the phase of integration and application, with future trends pointing towards higher speeds, greater integration, advanced packaging, and broader application fields [5] Physical Structure Analysis - Key components of silicon photonic modules include: 1. Lasers: Responsible for converting electrical signals into optical signals, with external CW light sources being the mainstream solution. Heterogeneous bonding technology is expected to become the mainstream solution for on-chip lasers in the future. 2. Modulators: Currently dominated by silicon-based substrates, with MZM being the mainstream solution. Thin-film lithium niobate modulators are expected to see large-scale application in the 3.2T era. 3. Detectors: Silicon-based germanium detectors are the mainstream solution. 4. Other passive devices: Such as (de)multiplexers, resonators, etc. 5. Electrical chips: Such as DSP, TIA, Driver, etc. [6] Industry Chain Analysis - The silicon photonic module industry chain can be divided into several segments: 1. Upstream: Key materials, including silicon photonic chips, which are primarily designed by North American manufacturers. The wafer foundry segment has high process barriers, with capacity concentrated in Tower Semi, GF, and TSMC. 2. CW Light Sources: Mainly composed of InP, with major suppliers including Sumitomo Electric and AXT. Domestic suppliers include Yuanjie Technology and Shijia Photonics. 3. DSP: Mainly designed by Broadcom and Marvell, with TSMC responsible for foundry. 4. Midstream: Optical module packaging, with representative companies such as Zhongji Xuchuang and Xinyi Technology. 5. Downstream: System integrators or end customers [7] Investment Recommendations - Companies that lead in the mass production of silicon photonic modules are expected to enjoy high margins and benefit from market share consolidation during the industry's acceleration phase. Key areas of focus include: 1. Silicon photonic chip design: Attention should be paid to the layout and further participation of optical module manufacturers in the silicon photonic chip design segment, with recommendations to focus on Zhongji Xuchuang and Xinyi Technology. 2. Substrates and epitaxy: Focus on heterogeneous integration and InP material suppliers, recommending Sumitomo Electric and AXT. 3. Silicon photonic wafer foundry: Monitor capacity scale and expansion, as well as the potential for domestic substitution, recommending Tower Semi, GlobalFoundries, TSMC, and SMIC. 4. CW Light Sources: Look for investment opportunities amid supply-demand mismatches and capacity expansion, recommending Yuanjie Technology and Shijia Photonics. 5. Silicon photonic modules: Focus on companies that achieve early scale and technological leadership, which may significantly enhance profitability, recommending Zhongji Xuchuang, Xinyi Technology, Cambridge Technology, Tianfu Communication, and Guangxun Technology [8]