Akhetonics Raises $6.3M for All-Optical Digital Processor

Akhetonics has raised €6 million ($6.3 million) in funding, which the company said it plans to use to deliver its first-generation hardware to pilot customers. The startup is developing a f ull-stack all-optical general purpose processor that brings together photonic hardware and components, software tools, and an in-house design automation tool. The solution’s low latency, deterministic execution, and immunity to electromagnetic interference make it useful for customers in aviation, defense, and networking, according to the company.

“Many companies that claim to use 'optical computing' actually take a hybrid approach, incorporating electronics in their processing,” said Michael Kissner, CEO of Akhetonics. “In contrast, we are shipping a completely new, all-optical, general purpose processor. This not only enables higher performance at lower power, but also offers real-time processing that is simply not possible with electronics or opto-electronic hybrids.”

Akhetonics is part of the GATEPOST (Graphene-based All-Optical Technology Platform for Secure Internet of Things) consortium, which includes HP Enterprise, imec, Enlightra, and Fraunhofer HHI, among others. With the GATEPOST project, Akhetonics aims to combine graphene with standard CMOS processes to realize efficient non-linear light interactions with ultrafast response times.