NTT and Four Partners Launch Optical Chiplet Mass Production Tech with NEDO Support
NTT and four Japanese tech firms have secured NEDO funding to develop mass production technologies for optical chiplets, aiming for a tenfold increase in productivity to address AI energy bottlenecks.
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NTT, NTT Innovative Devices, Japan Semiconductor, Furukawa Electric, and Shinko Electric Industries announced on October 20, 2026, that their research theme for the production technology of optical chiplets has been adopted by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) of Japan. This adoption marks the formal start of intensive development towards mass-producing optoelectronic fusion devices.
As AI computing expands, power consumption in data communication between semiconductor chips has become a critical challenge. Optoelectronic fusion technology is expected to provide high-speed, low-power solutions. The five companies have been advancing research under NEDO's support since 2023. The newly adopted project aims to establish a consistent mass production technology covering everything from optical device manufacturing and inspection to optical connection and package implementation.
Under the project's division of labor, Japan Semiconductor will develop silicon photonics mass production techniques suitable for heterogeneous material integration. Furukawa Electric is responsible for compound optical semiconductor mass production. Shinko Electric Industries will handle packaging and process-in-line inspection technologies, while NTT Innovative Devices focuses on manufacturing, inspection, and implementation technologies required for mass production. NTT acts as an advisor, promoting corporate collaboration and supply chain formation.