The Optoelectronics Industry Development Association (OIDA) of Washington has formed the Silicon Photonics Alliance (SPA) to focus on market and business issues on behalf of its members who are engaged in silicon photonics. Members may participate in forums and identify key areas for applications. SPA also will promote silicon photonics within the optical standards bodies to assure interoperability among vendors. The alliance’s six founding members are Luxtera Inc. of Carlsbad, Calif.; Corning Inc. of Corning, N.Y.; Kotura Inc. of Monterey Park, Calif.; Molex Inc. of Lisle, Ill.; Translucent Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif.; and US Conec Ltd. of Hickory, N.C. Tom Palkert of Luxtera has been selected as head. The group was launched in September in conjunction with a forum held by OIDA in San Jose, Calif. Palkert said that the alliance will work to “accelerate commercial products” and to educate the industry about the benefits of silicon photonics.