Lucidean, a developer of coherent optical links for data centers, has raised $18 million in seed financing and named James Raring CEO. The funding will be used to expand R&D efforts, validate performance and efficiency of the company’s CohZero platform, and accelerate productization. Lucidean's CohZero architecture addresses the need to bridge between simple, low-cost intensity-modulation, direct-detection (IMDD) optical link that only work over short distances, and high-performance coherent links that require expensive, power-hungry equipment, according to the company. Lucidean’s platform introduces a class of coherent optical interconnects designed to operate entirely within the existing IMDD ecosystem. This ecosystem includes IMDD-class lasers already in widespread use, simplified digital signal processors (DSPs) including compatibility with IMDD DSPs, and standard pluggable module architectures. The platform also operates within both retimed and non-retimed applications including co-packaged optics while delivering coherent-class link budget, reduced impact from fiber impairments, and expanded data rates. According to the company, this combination enables hyperscalers to scale to multi-terabit coherent performance without tight wavelength control, the overhead of traditional coherent DSPs, or disruptive physical-layer redesigns. Raring co-founded and served as CEO of Kyocera SLD Laser, where he led the development, commercialization, and global shipment of high-brightness gallium nitride laser-light sources in the automotive and specialty-lighting sectors. The photonics entrepreneur and technologist has more than 20 years of leadership experience in laser and optical-communication technology, and has been engaged with Lucidean’s leadership team throughout the company’s recent evolution. He joins Lucidean co-founders and co-CTOs Hector Andrade and Aaron Maharry along with academic co-founders Clint Schow and Larry Coldren. The seed funding was co-led by Entrada Ventures and Koch Disruptive Technologies, with participation from Foothill Ventures, M Ventures, Cerberus Ventures, and Raptor Group.
