Photonic Materials Applications

Laser-Written Glass Chip Advances Practical Quantum Communication Introduction As quantum computing progresses, traditional encryption faces increasing vulnerability. Continuous-variable quantum cryptography offers security rooted in physics, but it requires compact, stable receivers capable of decoding fragile light-based quantum states. A new glass-based photonic chip demonstrates how this hurdle may be overcome. Why Glass Instead of Silicon • Continuous-variable quantum systems measure light’s amplitude and phase using coherent receivers. • Silicon platforms suffer from polarization sensitivity and higher optical losses. • Borosilicate glass is naturally polarization-insensitive and highly stable. • Femtosecond laser writing enables direct 3D waveguide fabrication with very low propagation loss. • The process avoids complex semiconductor foundry steps, lowering cost and accelerating prototyping. Inside the Quantum Receiver Researchers fabricated a fully tunable heterodyne receiver directly within glass, incorporating: • Fixed and tunable beam splitters • Thermo-optic phase shifters for precise control • Three-dimensional waveguide crossings • Polarization-independent directional couplers Performance metrics include: • Approximately 1 dB insertion loss • Common-mode rejection ratio above 73 dB • Stable signal-to-noise performance over at least 8 hours • Full polarization-independent operation These characteristics match or exceed many silicon-based alternatives. Two Quantum Applications, One Platform • Source-device-independent quantum random number generation achieved 42.7 Gbit/s secure output—a record for this security model. • A QPSK-based continuous-variable quantum key distribution system reached 3.2 Mbit/s secret key rate over a simulated 9.3-km fiber link. • Both applications ran on the same chip without hardware changes. Deployment Advantages • Environmental resilience against thermal and mechanical stress. • Low-loss coupling with standard telecom fibers. • True 3D circuit design without added scattering penalties. • Cost-effective scalability through laser micromachining. Broader Implications This work positions glass-based integrated photonics as a practical bridge between laboratory quantum demonstrations and deployable quantum networks. By combining low loss, stability, and fiber compatibility, the platform addresses core engineering bottlenecks in quantum communication. If scaled successfully, such devices could underpin terrestrial and even space-based quantum security infrastructure. I share daily insights with tens of thousands of followers across defense, tech, and policy. If this topic resonates, I invite you to connect and continue the conversation. Keith King https://lnkd.in/gHPvUttw

PEROVSKITE MICRO- AND NANOARCHITECTURE FOR PHOTONIC APPLICATIONS Halide perovskites, a diverse class of crystalline materials, are defined by the ABX₃ structure, where A represents a monovalent cation, B a divalent metal cation, and X a halide anion. This architecture consists of corner-sharing [BX₆]⁴⁻ octahedra forming a 3D network that accommodates A-site cations. These materials hold immense promise for photonic technologies, including lasers, optical patterning, and light-emitting/sensing devices, owing to their tunable band gaps, high defect tolerance, efficient radiative recombination, exceptional color purity, and superior charge transport capabilities. Micro- and nanopatterning techniques are foundational to advancing perovskite systems for photonic applications due to the key optical behaviors. The optical behaviors of perovskites, such as reflection, transmission, scattering, and absorption, are intimately linked to these engineered geometries, directly influencing their roles in photonic sensing, emission, harvesting, modulation, and broader optoelectronic applications. The development of perovskite-based micro-/nanophotonic structures and devices is rapidly emerging as a driving force behind transformative technologies. These include multidimensional optical patterning, ultrasensitive super-resolution imaging and photosensing, lasers, and advanced light-based communication systems. Beyond intrinsic photoluminescence (PL), precisely fabricated patterns leveraging perovskite emission properties can induce brilliant structural colors, polarization-selective luminescence, terahertz modulation, and coherent light generation. For achieving amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and scalable integration, perovskites benefit from their compatibility with a wide range of optical micro-/nanocavities and gain media. Strategic miniaturization and array design are essential for power scaling and integrated system performance. These architectures also enable the transition from pure photonic control to photon–electron conversion, positioning perovskites as multifunctional layers for light emission, detection, and charge transport. These characteristics govern light–matter interactions, allowing enhanced photon absorption through extended optical paths and enabling selective sensing of linearly and circularly polarized light signals. This review highlights recent progress in the development of perovskite micro-/nanoarchitectures tailored for photonic functionality, including direct fabrication methods like inkjet printing, aerosol-jet printing, electrohydrodynamic-jet printing, laser writing, and ion/electron-beam etching. As well as explore indirect replication approaches, such as irradiation-assisted lithography, space-confined physical templating (top-down or bottom-up), surface-energy-guided templates, and vapor deposition lithography. # https://lnkd.in/eEcktbQU

Scientists have demonstrated that a common thermoplastic can be transformed into a miniature light analyzer — capable of splitting light into a spectrum, much like a lab-grade spectrometer. By engineering microstructures of around 10 × 10 micrometers inside the polymer, researchers enabled the material to separate light into spectral components across a wide range (~400–1550 nm), spanning visible to near-infrared wavelengths. In essence, the material itself functions as a mini spectrometer. What makes this breakthrough particularly compelling is the fabrication method. Using ultrashort laser pulses, scientists create microscopic vortex-like structures within the plastic. These nano- and micro-scale features interact with light, enabling spectral decomposition — an approach rooted in nanophotonics. Why this matters: • Spectrometers could be directly integrated onto microchips • Light sensors may become standard in smartphones and wearable devices • Chemical and material analysis tools could become significantly smaller and more affordable • Compact devices could enable microscopic spectral imaging Perhaps most remarkably, this functionality requires no moving optical parts or complex calibration — it emerges purely from the internal geometry of the material. This is a powerful signal of where photonics is heading: optical functionality is increasingly embedded within the structure of materials themselves, rather than relying on discrete components like lenses or prisms. The result? A new generation of compact “lab-on-a-chip” systems for analyzing light and matter. #Photonics #Nanophotonics #DeepTech #MaterialsScience #Innovation #Light #Thermoplastic #FutureTech #Optics #Spectroscopy #Microfabrication #TechTrends #Spectrometer #Spectrum

💡🚀 Ge-on-Si Photodiodes: How Do Photonic Chips Detect Light? 🚀💡 Photonic chips can guide, split, modulate, and filter light. But eventually, they must convert optical signals back into electrical ones. That’s the job of a photodiode. In silicon photonics, one of the most important solutions is the Germanium-on-Silicon (Ge-on-Si) photodiode. ✨ Why not silicon alone? ✨ At telecom wavelengths (1310 nm and 1550 nm), silicon absorbs light very poorly because of its indirect band gap. In direct band gap materials, electrons can absorb or emit photons efficiently. In indirect band gap materials like silicon, a phonon is also required to conserve momentum, making optical absorption much weaker. Germanium, however, absorbs telecom light much more efficiently, making it ideal for photodetection. That combination is powerful: ✅ Silicon provides the photonic platform ✅ Germanium provides efficient light absorption ✨ How does a Ge-on-Si photodiode work? ✨ A typical device includes: 🔹 A silicon waveguide 🔹 A germanium absorption region 🔹 A pn or pin junction 🔹 Metal contacts for readout As light travels through the waveguide: ➡️ Light is absorbed in germanium ➡️ Electron-hole pairs are generated ➡️ An electrical current is produced This is the photoelectric effect in action. ✨ Why is germanium widely used? ✨ Because it offers: ✅ Strong telecom-wavelength absorption ✅ CMOS-compatible integration ✅ High-speed operation ✅ Compact device footprint ✨ Key performance metrics ✨ Photodiodes are evaluated by: 🔹 Responsivity 🔹 Bandwidth 🔹 Dark current 🔹 Noise performance And like many photonic devices, there are trade-offs: 📈 More absorption improves efficiency 📉 But can reduce speed So designers must balance: ⚡ Speed 💡 Efficiency 🔌 Electrical performance ✨ Why are Ge-on-Si photodiodes important? ✨ They are essential for: 🔹 Optical communication receivers 🔹 Datacenter interconnects 🔹 LiDAR 🔹 Optical sensing 🔹 High-speed transceivers They form the bridge between: 💡 Photonics and 🔌 Electronics So here’s a question for you 👇 Do you know of any other materials that can be used to detect light in silicon photonics? #SiliconPhotonics #Photonics #Photodiode #Germanium #IntegratedPhotonics #TechExplained #LearnPhotonics

Atomically thin semiconductors driving smart sensors with real-world impact Focusing on atomically thin semiconductors at RMIT University, we are creating the next generation of ultra-sensitive sensors and smart systems. They are smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient than ever before. Our innovation begins at the atomic scale. My colleagues and I are engineering two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors such as graphene, transition-metal dichalcogenides, and transition-metal oxides - materials only a few atoms thick yet possessing extraordinary electrical and optical tunability. These quantum-thin layers exhibit exceptional charge-carrier mobility, excitonic behaviour, and mechanical flexibility, unlocking new frontiers in wearable sensors, ultra-fast optoelectronics, and bio-integrated devices. I’m lucky to work in world-class research facilities, which serve as the backbone of innovation, enabling interdisciplinary collaboration across scales, and alongside several national research centres, including the ARC Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science (COMBS) . These hubs help connect my research to a global network of experts in photonics, quantum materials, and low-energy electronics. What truly distinguishes our approach is the ability to translate atomic-scale discoveries into intelligent, connected systems. Atomically thin semiconductor devices are being integrated into Internet of Things platforms, wireless communication modules, and AI-assisted signal processors, creating systems that not only sense but also interpret and respond. These platforms enable real-time environmental monitoring, such as detecting trace gases and pollutants, as well as advanced biomedical diagnostics, where bio-field-effect transistors (bio-FETs) and photonic biosensors can identify disease biomarkers at early stages. In the energy and mobility sectors, high-mobility 2D semiconductors are driving low-power electronics and adaptive control systems for sustainable technologies. RMIT’s multidisciplinary engineering ecosystem ensures each layer, from material design to data analytics, contributes to intelligent functionality. A notable example of this multi-layered ecosystem at work is the world-first ingestible gas-sensing capsule, now commercialised by Atmo Biosciences. Incorporating nanoscale sensors, a smart processor, and a wireless transmission module, the capsule measures intestinal gases in vivo and transmits real-time data to reveal insights into gut health. It exemplifies how nanomaterial-enabled sensors can evolve into life-changing medical technologies. By uniting atomically thin materials, smart system integration, and global collaboration, my colleagues and I continue to lead in Electrical and Electronic Engineering research. We are shaping a future where every atom powers intelligent, sustainable, and connected technologies. Interested in collaborating? Get in touch: Jian Zhen Ou - RMIT University

#Silicon #Photonics Goes Mainstream For more than a decade, silicon photonics (#SiP) lived at the margins of #CMOS manufacturing—highly promising, but constrained to niche optical foundries and telecom-centric applications. That phase is ending. Today, SiP is becoming a mainstream foundry capability, not because optics suddenly scaled like transistors, but because AI workloads, energy efficiency limits, and automotive autonomy are forcing a fundamental rethink of I/O, sensing, and system integration. 🔹 TSMC – Silicon Photonics as a Packaging-Centric Optical Engine TSMC’s approach treats SiP as part of its advanced packaging dominance, not as a standalone process node. Photonic layer: Mature SOI-class nodes (≈45–65nm equivalent) Electronic layer: Leading-edge CMOS (N5 → N3 → N2) Differentiator: COUPE optical engine tightly integrated with CoWoS / SoIC Strategic focus: Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) and optical I/O for AI accelerators and switches. 🔹 Intel Corporation – Optical I/O as a Scaling Necessity Intel remains the historical technology leader in silicon photonics and is now reframing it as a mandatory solution for AI scaling. Photonic integration: Proven Intel SiP platform Electronic integration: Advanced nodes (Intel 7 → 18A) Packaging: EMIB, Foveros, optical I/O chiplets Strategic focus: Direct optical interfaces replacing power-hungry electrical SerDes. 🔹 Samsung Semiconductor – CPO as Part of an AI-Native Foundry Vision Samsung Foundry has clearly signaled silicon photonics and CPO as part of its AI-era roadmap. Photonic processes: Less publicly specified, likely SOI-based Electronic nodes: 5nm → 3nm → GAA Strength: Vertical integration (logic + memory + packaging) Focus: AI accelerators, advanced networking, future memory-centric systems 🔹 GlobalFoundries – The Pragmatic, Production-Ready SiP Leader GF is arguably the most “real” silicon photonics foundry today in terms of revenue and manufacturability. Process: 45nm SOI (Fotonix / 45SPCLO) Strengths: Analog, RF, photonics co-integration Markets: Data center interconnects, telecom, sensing Recent move: Acquisition of Advanced Micro Foundry strengthens SiP capacity #AI #Data #Center & #AI #Edge 2024–2026: Optical pluggables remain dominant First deployments of CPO and optical I/O chiplets in high-end switches 2026–2028: Optical I/O becomes standard for scale-up AI fabrics Energy per bit, not bandwidth, drives adoption Key takeaway: SiP is mandatory for next-generation AI systems #Automotive & #ADAS (incl. Monolithic #LiDAR) Near-term (2024–2026): Discrete and hybrid photonic LiDAR dominate Early silicon photonic integration for beam steering and receivers Mid-term (2026–2030): Monolithic or quasi-monolithic SiP LiDAR becomes viable Strong alignment with 45nm SOI-class nodes and GF-like platforms. Silicon photonics is no longer an “optics story.” It is a systems architecture story, and increasingly a foundry competitiveness story—especially in AI Edge and Automotive.

🔴 #Photon #Split into 37 #Quantum #Dimensions 🔶️ Physicists have manipulated light to exist in 37 quantum dimensions, using a fiber-based processor to link a photon's color and phase. 🔶️ This breakthrough uses 37 "informational layers" or modes (rather than physical spatial dimensions) to enhance #data #storage and #Quantum #Computing, representing a significant jump beyond classical, 3-D physics. 🔶️ #Methodology: Researchers used a fiber-based photonic processor and temporal multiplexing to control a single photon's properties, creating a 37-dimensional Hilbert space. 🔶️ #Purpose: To demonstrate a complex version of the Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger (#GHZ) paradox, which highlights the contrast between Quantum and Classical computing. 🔶️ #Applications: By encoding information across 37 dimensions, this method could lead to #faster Quantum Computers, more #secure communication, and more #efficient simulations. 🔶️ #Significance: Demonstrates that photons can function as programmable structures, significantly increasing data carrying capacity beyond conventional optical systems. 🔶️ This is a major step in #Quantum #Optics, moving from testing quantum theory to creating practical, high-dimensional applications. (Original source: NASA, in https://lnkd.in/eJJstwx8 ) #innovation #technology #future #trends

Scientists made light behave like solid matter for the first time Physicists achieved a mind-bending breakthrough by turning light into a solid-like quantum state, demonstrating that photons—the fundamental particles of light—can behave like structured matter. Normally, photons pass through each other without resistance, which is why light travels freely and does not form shapes or structures on its own. But using a carefully controlled quantum system, researchers forced photons to interact strongly, causing them to organise into patterns that mimic the properties of solids. This discovery is more than a laboratory curiosity. It opens the door to revolutionary technologies in quantum computing, optical circuits, and advanced materials. By manipulating light to act like matter, scientists can potentially build ultra-fast processors that use photons instead of electrons, drastically increasing speed while reducing energy consumption. It also allows exploration of exotic states of matter that could lead to innovations in sensors, communications, and even energy storage. Traditional approaches to materials science rely on atoms and electrons, which are slower and harder to manipulate at quantum scales. Photonic solids bypass many of these limitations, offering a new frontier where light itself can be shaped, controlled, and harnessed for practical applications. This experiment proves that our understanding of the physical world can be stretched far beyond classical limits, merging the boundaries of light and matter in entirely new ways. Imagine a future where computers are powered by solid light, communication networks operate at unprecedented speeds, and advanced technologies emerge from manipulating photons as easily as we now control electricity. This breakthrough is a glimpse of a universe where the rules of matter are no longer fixed, and science continues to redefine what is possible. #DiscoverTheUniverse #Discover #QuantumPhysics #PhotonScience #fblifestyle