Photonics is considered to be a more efficient way to transfer data than the current standard process of using more costly electricity running on copper, which is thought to be a major blocker to the rollout of AI.
SWIR (shortwave infrared) is light between roughly 0.9 and 2.5 micrometers, sitting between visible and thermal infrared. Like visible light, it reflects off objects rather than radiating heat, but it passes through silicon, glass, and plastics, revealing hidden defects invisible cameras can't see.
Pluggable transceivers have served the industry for two decades. The AI compute wave is about to retire them. Here is the physics, the business case, and what engineers on the buying side actually need to know.