15 Mar 2026
16:00 - 18:30
Room 502A
Multi-core fiber (MCF) is a promising solution to address the capacity limits in current optical networks. While MCF technologies are already gaining traction in submarine systems, their commercial viability for high-density terrestrial networks still must be proven. This workshop will focus on MCF application in intra-data center and campus networks, where AI/ML workloads are driving unprecedented connectivity demands. Deployment challenges include evaluating multiple integration models—ranging from fanout-based terminations to fully integrated multicore transceiver modules—each with distinct implications for connectivity, scalability, total cost of ownership, and operational complexity. A key consideration is how MCF can better meet the demands of emerging AI/ML workloads compared to other interconnect solutions. This workshop will explore the viability of MCF in data center applications, discussing its benefits, challenges, integration models, and technical and commercial considerations.
The key questions to address in this workshop are:
- What are the primary benefits and challenges to MCF adoption in data centers?
- How do different MCF-transceiver connectivity approaches, utilizing standalone or co-packaged fanouts or integrated solutions, impact performance and operations?
- Will the industry converge on a single architecture or support multiple approaches?
- Can MCF better meet AI/ML interconnect demands than SMF and other options?
Organizers
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Filipe Ferreira
University College London, United Kingdom
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Andrey Kobyakov
Corning, United States
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Victor Kopp
Chiral Photonics Inc., United States
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Atsushi Nakamura
NTT, Japan
Speakers
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Adolfo Cartaxo
Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
Prof. Adolfo Cartaxo joined Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal, in 2016. He is currently a Full Professor at Iscte and a Senior Researcher at the Instituto de Telecomunicações, Portugal. His research interests focus on spatial division multiplexing systems and networks. Prof. Cartaxo serves as the Coordinator of the European doctoral network “Multicore Fiber - Applications and Technologies - MATCH” and is the principal scientific lead of the LUMIRing (Lisbon Underground Multicore Fiber Ring) testbed. His work spans fundamental characterization of multicore optical fibers to their practical applications in optical communication networks.
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Guilhem de Valicourt
Nubis Communications, United States
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Osamu Kikuchi
Fujikura, Japan
Osamu Kikuchi is a Senior Researcher at Fujikura Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. In 1990, he started his career as an engineer at a major telecommunication system company where he developed optical interface modules and ICs for optical transmission systems. After joining Fujikura in 2006, he developed optical transceivers and ICs for optical access networks and for datacom equipment. Currently, he is with R&D strategy division and is involved in market development for optical connectivity solutions, including MCF. He is an IEEE SSCS member.
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Nick Parsons
Huber+Suhner AG, United Kingdom
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Jay Sell
Sumitomo Electric USA, United States
Jay Sell joined Sumitomo Electric Lightwave in 2014. Prior to that, he graduated from the University of Michigan with a BS in Physics, and worked on ultrafast fiber laser design and production for 5 years in Ann Arbor, MI. Currently he is the Senior Director of Strategic Accounts and drives new optical fiber technology adoption in hyperscale data center environments. Sumitomo is an industry leader in multicore fiber technology and sees data centers as a prime candidate for MCF adoption.
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Kunihiro Toge
NTT, Japan
Kunihiro Toge joined NTT, Japan in 2001. He has been engaged in research on high-density optical fiber cables and optical fiber measurement technologies. He has also served as Rapporteur of Q17/SG15 of ITU-T during study periods of 2013-2016 and 2017-2021. He currently leads a research project focused on advanced optical fiber and cable technologies, including optical sensing and fiber characterization. Dr. Toge is a member of the Institute of Electronics, Information, and Communication Engineers (IEICE) of Japan.
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Chris Wu
Corning, United States
Dr. Qi (Chris) Wu joined Corning Incorporated in New York, USA, in 2000 and currently serves as a Principal Scientist, Advanced Connectivity Solutions in Corning Research & Development Division. His research spans optical fiber components, optical switches, photonic instrumentation, and fiber connectors. From 2016 to 2024, he contributed as a committee member for the Optical Interconnects Conference at Photonics West. His recent work focuses on advancing high-density optical connectivity, novel optical fibers, and measurement technologies.
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Tomoya Yoshida
AIST, Japan
Dr. Tomoya Yoshida joined the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan, in 2007. He is currently a Senior Researcher at AIST. His research focuses on ion implantation bending (IIB) technology and its application to forming three-dimensional micro-scale structures for electronic and photonic devices. In 2015, he developed an “elephant coupler,” a vertically curved silicon waveguide surface optical coupler fabricated using the IIB process. His current research interests include silicon photonics optical couplers, optical fiber packaging technologies, and Co-Packaged Optics.