Photonic Integrated Circuit Companies

The Competitive Landscape of Photonic Integrated Circuit Market

The photonic integrated circuit (PIC) market is a burgeoning realm within the tech ecosystem, promising a revolutionary shift in data transmission and processing. Integrating miniature optical components onto semiconductor chips, PICs offer unparalleled speed, bandwidth, and energy efficiency compared to conventional electronics. This has ignited a fierce competition among established players and ambitious startups, all vying for dominance in this nascent yet lucrative landscape.

Key Players:

• Agilent Technologies


• Aifotec AG


• Alcatel-Lucent SA


• Broadcom Inc.


• Ciena Corporation


• CyOptics Inc.


• EMCORE Corporation


• Enablence Technologies Inc.


• Finisar Corporation


• Hewlett-Packard Company


• Infinera Corporation


• Intel Corporation


• JDS Uniphase Corporation


• Kaiam Corporation


• Mellanox Technologies Ltd


• Luxtera Inc.


• NeoPhotonics Corp


• Oclaro Inc.


• OneChip Photonics Inc.


• TE Connectivity 

Strategies Adopted by Key Players:

To stay ahead of the curve, both established and emerging players are deploying an array of strategic tactics. Mergers and acquisitions are a significant trend, aiming to consolidate market share and access complementary technologies. For instance, Lumentum's acquisition of Opnext strengthened its portfolio in advanced lasers and modulators. Collaborations with research institutions and academic partners are another common strategy, fostering breakthroughs in materials science and fabrication techniques. Additionally, investments in vertical integration and foundry services are gaining traction, providing greater control over the supply chain and enabling faster customization for specific client needs.

Market Share:

A handful of established players currently hold the reins of the PIC market. Giants like Infinera, NeoPhotonics, Lumentum, and MACOM have leveraged their extensive experience in optical communications and chip fabrication to capture significant market share. Their established customer bases, robust R&D pipelines, and diversified product portfolios give them a formidable edge. For instance, Infinera's PIC-based coherent transceivers boast exceptional performance for data center interconnects, while NeoPhotonics excels in silicon photonics integration for high-speed networking applications.

Market Share Analysis:

Assessing market share in the PIC arena requires a nuanced approach, moving beyond mere revenue figures. Factors like technology leadership, intellectual property holdings, customer base diversity, and geographical reach play a crucial role. Technological advancements that unlock new applications or enhance performance can trigger significant market shifts. A company's patent portfolio serves as a testament to its innovation prowess and potential to influence future market dynamics. A diversified customer base across various industry segments (telecommunications, data centers, high-performance computing) provides stability and resilience against downturns in specific application areas. Finally, a global presence with manufacturing and design facilities spread across regions allows for better market penetration and responsiveness to local demand.

Industry Developments

Agilent Technologies:

• October 26, 2023: Announced the availability of its new N7700B Photonic Test System, specifically designed for high-volume production testing of PICs for data center and telecom applications. 


• September 19, 2023: Partnered with the University of California, Santa Barbara, to develop new PIC technologies for next-generation optical communications networks. 


• July 12, 2023: Demonstrated a new silicon photonic modulator capable of operating at 100 Gb/s with low power consumption. This technology has the potential to revolutionize high-speed data transmission. 

Aifotec AG:

• November 9, 2023: Received €10 million in funding from a consortium of investors to expand its production capacity for PICs used in medical and industrial applications.


• October 20, 2023: Successfully developed a new PIC-based biosensor for rapid and accurate detection of COVID-19 variants. This technology has the potential to significantly improve early diagnosis and treatment of the virus. 


• September 5, 2023: Collaborated with the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics to develop PICs for high-precision spectroscopy applications in the chemical and food industries.