Silicon photonics is quickly becoming essential for scaling bandwidth and improving energy efficiency in AI data centers, high-performance computing, and next-generation communication systems. As photonic integrated circuits (PICs) integrate more functionality, the challenge of validating optical and electrical performance continues to grow. Engineers now need to manage precise optical alignment, wavelength and power characterization, and high-speed electro-optical measurements, all while keeping up with the pace and efficiency required for high-volume production.

To help customers stay ahead of these demands, FormFactor has acquired Keystone Photonics, a pioneer in optical probing technology for silicon photonics and co-packaged optics wafer testing. This addition builds on FormFactor’s strengths in electrical, thermal, and RF wafer-level test, giving engineering teams a more complete and integrated approach to photonics validation.

This acquisition enhances our capabilities in three important ways:

  1. Expanded High-Volume Optical Test Automation
    Customers gain access to enhanced optical alignment capabilities and automation designed for high-throughput testing, which integrate seamlessly with FormFactor’s wafer probe stations and optical positioning tools.
  2. Improved Measurement Accuracy and Repeatability
    By bringing in sophisticated software, proven methodologies, and automated optical alignment, engineers can achieve tighter control over optical coupling and more reliable electro-optical measurements, crucial for today’s advanced PICs (Photonic Integrated Circuits).
  3. Broader Ecosystem Support for PIC Manufacturers
    Teams working on silicon photonics devices and co-packaged optics now benefit from deeper expertise across both electrical and optical domains.

This evolution aligns closely with our mission: to deliver end-to-end test solutions that scale with the complexity of next-generation semiconductor devices.

The combined capabilities offer real benefits, including:

  • Greater measurement precision enabled by improved optical-alignment techniques and repeatable test approaches
  • More efficient automation, reducing manual steps and minimizing operator-to-operator variation
  • Unified optical-electrical test flows that help accelerate debug and characterization
  • Stronger scalability to production, backed by processes built for repeatability and high throughput

As demand grows for energy-efficient, high-bandwidth interconnects, FormFactor remains committed to advancing what’s possible in semiconductor and photonics test. This acquisition marks an important step forward, helping our customers bring breakthrough optical-electronic technologies to market with confidence, speed, and the highest level of performance assurance.