Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the growing application of silicon photonics technology as a potential replacement for copper wire in data transmission, particularly in data centers, while highlighting the current limitations and future prospects of this technology [1][2]. Group 1: Current State of Transmission Technologies - Currently, silicon photonics is primarily used for long-distance transmission in data centers, while copper wire is still dominant for medium and short distances due to its high speed of up to 200 Gbit per second [1][2]. - The advancements in copper wire technology have exceeded initial expectations, achieving speeds of 200 Gbit per second, which matches the current capabilities of silicon photonics [1][2]. Group 2: Advantages and Future Developments of Silicon Photonics - Silicon photonics has the potential for significant cost reductions and efficiency improvements in the future, especially as technology advances [2]. - Future developments aim to integrate optical engines directly with switch chips on the same substrate, potentially allowing for transmission speeds of up to 400 Gbit per second per fiber [2]. - The integration of multiple optical engines could lead to a total transmission capacity of 25.6 terabits per second, significantly enhancing data transfer capabilities [2]. Group 3: Challenges and Market Dynamics - Despite the advantages of silicon photonics, challenges remain in terms of production costs and the complexity of integrating optical components, which currently limits its market share compared to copper wire [2]. - The co-packaged optics (CPO) industry is highlighted as a part of the silicon photonics manufacturing process, with many Taiwanese manufacturers focusing on contract manufacturing and backend processes [2]. Group 4: Industry Context and Demand - The demand for data transmission is rapidly increasing, driven by the explosion of generative AI and the need for higher computational power, which exposes the limitations of traditional copper wire [5][6]. - Data centers are projected to consume vast amounts of electricity, with the energy demands potentially increasing twentyfold, underscoring the need for more efficient transmission technologies [6].