Frequently Asked Questions

Data centers operate hundreds of thousands of servers that generate significant heat. Energy consumption comes from two primary sources: powering computer and networking equipment and cooling that equipment to maintain operational stability. Over-provisioning of network paths further increases energy use and heat output.

Over-provisioning occurs when data centers connect switches excessively to ensure data always has a wired path to its destination. While this approach increases redundancy, it also introduces unnecessary hops between switches, increasing latency, energy use, and heat generation.

The High-speed Optical Switch is a top-of-rack networking technology developed by the University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences. It redirects data using light rather than electronic switching, allowing higher throughput with substantially lower energy consumption and reduced heat output.

The core technology was developed and demonstrated by the University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences. Post-Quantum Tek holds the commercialization opportunity for this research-based innovation.

Data enters the switch through fiber optic cables and is redirected to the appropriate output port using optical diffraction. Because the switch relies on light rather than electronic circuits, it eliminates most energy use associated with electrical switching and enables faster data movement.

The High-speed Optical Switch dynamically reconfigures data paths in microseconds. This agility allows data centers to adapt instantly to traffic demands without relying on static over-provisioned network designs.

By eliminating electronic switching components and minimizing over-provisioning, the High-speed Optical Switch reduces power consumption by a factor of 100 compared to conventional electrical switches. Lower power use directly reduces cooling requirements and operational costs.

Heat drives cooling costs, infrastructure complexity, and operational risk. By operating at lower power levels, the High-speed Optical Switch reduces heat generation, enabling more efficient data center designs and lowering long-term energy expenditures.

According to MarketsandMarkets™, the global data center switch market reached approximately USD $17.78 billion in 2025 and is projected to exceed USD $26.78 billion by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%.

Post-Quantum Tek is commercializing the High-speed Optical Switch for the data center market. The company plans to develop a working prototype, harden the technology for commercial deployment, and bring the switch to market through strategic partnerships.

While established vendors continue improving electrical switching technologies, Post-Quantum Tek introduces a fundamentally different optical approach. The High-speed Optical Switch delivers significantly lower energy consumption, higher throughput, reduced heat, and greater agility, based on proven academic research rather than incremental enhancements.