Photonics is a stack!
$AXTI $AIXA $TSEM $AEHR $LITE $GLW
Here is a clean map of the sector.
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A laser, a photonic chip, a finished module, and a deployed AI network all sit at different points in one long chain.
Different companies get paid for totally different reasons and on totally different timelines.
I just updated my layer framework so you can instantly see where every major name fits that I track (and why the AI buildout lifts the whole stack).
Quick map:
Layer 1 (Materials & Platforms): $AXTI $ALMU $LWLG $IQE
Layer 2 (Epitaxy Tools): $AIXA $ALRIB $VECO
Layer 3 (Foundries & Scale): $TSEM $FN $SANM
Layer 4 (Test & Yield): $AEHR $FORM $COHU $TER $VIAV
Layer 5 (Devices & Engines): $LITE $COHR $AAOI $POET $SIVE $MTSI
Layer 6 (Connectivity & Networks): $CRDO $MRVL $SMTC $CIEN $NOK $GLW
There are many more names in the industry that didn't make this list.
Which are you tracking the closest?
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