MEMS光开关，迎来替代者

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the potential applications of optical cloaking technology in enhancing data center bandwidth and accelerating artificial intelligence operations, highlighting the advancements made by two startups, Neurophos and Lumotive, in utilizing optical metamaterials for these purposes [2][6]. Group 1: Optical Cloaking Technology - Optical cloaking technology, developed around 20 years ago, allows light to bend around objects, effectively hiding them using optical metamaterials [2]. - Current optical cloaks are limited as they typically only work for a single color of light, which restricts their practical applications [2]. Group 2: Lumotive's Innovations - Lumotive has developed a new microchip that features adjustable properties using liquid crystal elements embedded between copper structures, allowing for programmable optical characteristics [3]. - The new chip can handle industry-standard 256×256 ports and is scalable up to 10,000×10,000 ports, which Lumotive believes will significantly change the data center landscape [4]. Group 3: Neurophos's Approach - Neurophos aims to revolutionize artificial intelligence by developing optical processors that use light instead of electrons, significantly reducing power consumption [6]. - The company claims its optical modulators can achieve a size that is one ten-thousandth of current standard chip designs, allowing for a much higher density of computation [6]. - Neurophos asserts that its microchip will provide 50 times the computational density and energy efficiency compared to NVIDIA's Blackwell series GPUs, with plans to launch its first systems in early 2028 [6].