Has hollow-core optical fiber entered mass production

Key enterprises leading hollow-core optical fiber mass production include Microsoft, Relativity Networks, Prysmian, LingFiber Technology, and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden.

Leading Companies and Their Capabilities

Microsoft has scaled up hollow-core fiber (HCF) production for its Azure data centers, collaborating with Corning and Heraeus Covantis to achieve industrial-scale manufacturing. Their fibers transmit light through air-filled cores, reducing latency by 33% and increasing transmission speeds by 47%, while achieving ultra-low attenuation below 0.1 dB/km, surpassing industry norms . Relativity Networks has partnered with Prysmian to mass-produce HCF and cabling for AI data centers. Their design features an air-filled center surrounded by glass tubes, enabling higher capacity and reduced chromatic dispersion. Prysmian manufactures the fiber at a dedicated facility in Eindhoven, Netherlands, ensuring compatibility with existing fiber-optic infrastructure . LingFiber Technology (Nantong) Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Jinan University, has developed an interstitial-tube-assisted antiresonant hollow-core fiber. This design addresses production bottlenecks, improves structural tolerance during the drawing process, and enables high-yield, large-scale manufacturing. Their fibers have achieved ultra-low loss of 0.052 dB/km, setting a new benchmark for optical fiber attenuation . RISE Research Institutes of Sweden focuses on hollow-core fiber technologies for broadband transmission with minimal nonlinear effects. They serve telecom operators, research institutions, and defense sectors, emphasizing collaborative innovation to integrate hollow-core fibers into practical, scalable solutions . Photonic Tools specializes in high-power laser delivery using hollow-core fibers, primarily for industrial and medical applications. Their fibers allow efficient multimode laser transport without heat buildup, supporting precision manufacturing and specialized industrial processes .

Market Context and Applications

The hollow-core fiber market is experiencing rapid growth, projected to reach USD 98.7 million globally by 2029, driven by 5G networks, AI data centers, and low-latency telecommunications. Hollow-core fibers guide light through air-filled channels, minimizing signal loss and latency compared to traditional solid-core fibers. Applications include ultra-fast data transmission, quantum communication, high-power laser delivery, and advanced sensing .

Summary

The mass production of hollow-core optical fibers is now supported by a combination of technological breakthroughs, strategic partnerships, and industrial-scale facilities. Microsoft, Relativity Networks, Prysmian, LingFiber Technology, and RISE are at the forefront, enabling large-scale deployment for telecom, cloud computing, and AI-driven networks, while specialized firms like Photonic Tools address industrial and medical applications. These enterprises are pivotal in transitioning hollow-core fibers from experimental prototypes to mainstream optical communication solutions.