Researchers at Boston, UC Berkeley and Northwestern universities have announced a breakthrough that can bring quantum computing to the industrial scale: the creation of a Integrated Quantum Light Generation System within a only 1 mm² chipmanufactured with the same technology used in traditional processors.
The work, published in the renowned scientific journal Nature Electronicsshows that It is possible to unite photonic, electronics and quantum hardware in a single silicon chipusing a manufacturing process already widespread in the industry.
The project supports technology CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) of 45 nanometers, the same employed for years in the production of CPUS and GPUS. This means that, for the first time, a functional quantum system was developed without depending on complex laboratory environments or exclusive experimental methodswhich paves the way for commercial applications and large production.
How the quantum light “plant” works
In the center of the chip are 12 Silicon Microorresserssmall ring -shaped structures capable of generating photon pairs with quantum propertiesalso known as intertwined photons. These photons are based on various applications in quantum communications, advanced sensors and, in the future, quantum processors.
The generation of these pairs is not new, but the differential is in the way the chip keeps these structures working stable. Microorressers are extremely sensitive to temperature variations or manufacturing imperfections.
To deal with this, the engineers created a integrated control system with photodiodes and heaters on a microscopic scalewhich monitor and adjust the operation of each ring in real time.
This is a small but very important step. Shows that we have been able to build repetible and controllable quantum systems in conventional semiconductor factories
Milos PopovicAssociate Professor at Boston University
A Chip that is self -adjustment
The system of built -in autocorrection It is one of the most relevant points of the project. Instead of relying on manual adjustments or external equipment (as in traditional experiments with quantum light), the chip itself can maintain the balance necessary to generate and maintain the interwoven of photons.
Such a level of Miniaturization and Automation It is vital for quantum technologies to leave the laboratory and become part of everyday computational infrastructure.
And by using a standard and well -established process like CMOS, the project avoids high costs and challenges to climb custom -made technologies.
Comparative: Quantum chip in cmos vs. traditional methods
| Feature | Chip CMOS 1 mm² (2025) | Traditional laboratory systems |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 1 mm² | Table equipment, with multiple modules |
| Manufacturing Technology | CMOS 45 Nm (standard semiconductor industry process) | Customized, outside the industrial standard |
| Photon source | Microorressers integrated in silicon | External lasers and optical crystals |
| System stabilization | Autonomous, via built -in thermal feedback | Manual, with external control instruments |
| Scalability | High, compatible with mass production | Low, difficult to replicate on scale |
| Production cost | Reduced, uses existing infrastructure | High, requires specialized equipment |
| Main objective | Produce stable quantum light for computing and communications | Controlled Research and Tests |
| Integration with AI and HPC | Integration potential with optical networks and interconnections there | Limited, without focus on hybrid application |
The choice for microorressers It was not random. They are already considered key pieces for the advancement of optical interconnection systems in data centers and Artificial Intelligence Hardware. Companies such as Setting Labswhich collaborated in the production of the chip along with the Globalfroundrossare at the front line of this convergence between photonic and computing.
Jensen HuangNVIDIA CEO recently cited microorressers as strategic components for the future of AI, especially in reducing chip communication bottlenecks.
Now the same type of structure begins to appear as a solution to scalable quantum systemscreating a possible intersection between two of today’s most promising technological fronts.
Quantum integration is coming
The expression “quantum light factory”Used by researchers is not exaggerated. Just as classic processors manipulate electrons and optical networks deal with light bundles, Quantum computing needs reliable sources of intertwined photons to function. The news here is that these sources can now be integrated into silicon without additional equipment.
In addition, the chip was developed with Support from the National Science Foundation Fuse Programas well Packard Fellowship and from Catalyst Foundationreinforcing the institutional and interdisciplinary weight of the research.
From the university to the market
Some of the project authors already operate in companies such as Psiquantum, ayar labs and google xwhich have invested in the development of quantum and photonic solutions. The transition from academic environment to the industry stresses that The private sector is aware of the consequences of this type of innovationeven if the market is still far from large -scale commercial products.
The combination of low production cost, industrial compatibility and autonomous stability Makes this chip a symbolic piece. And perhaps historical. If the Intel 4004 microprocessor marked the beginning of the era of personal computers, this small silicon structure can be remembered as The embryo of mass quantum computing.
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What can the ordinary user expect from this technology?
Although still far from home use, the integration of silicon chips quantum systems marks the beginning of a transformation that can, in the medium term, directly affect the life of the ordinary user.
The technology developed by the team does not deliver a functional quantum computer ready to play games or open spreadsheets, but offers the basis for this, one day, is possible.
Just as the first transistors did not seem to promise smartphones, and the Intel 4004 did not foresee the age of artificial intelligence, These integrated quantum microorressers can become the next generation “Lego blocks”.
Among the most promising applications:
- Data security with quantum encryptionmaking systems virtually inviolable by conventional methods.
- Integration with artificial intelligenceaccelerating processing and communication between systems.
- Ultrasensible medical and environmental sensorscapable of detecting minimal changes in organisms or environments.
- Telecommunication networks with integrated photonicoffering transmission speeds far superior to the current ones.
In practice, this means that the user can, in the future, Navigating to safer networks, using smarter virtual assistants and having more accurate medical diagnosesall driven by quantum systems that operate with the same efficiency as the chips that are already in our pockets.
The transformation will not be visible overnight, but the first bricks are being placed now. And they already fit in a 1 mm² chip.
Source: Nature Electronics e Boston University
Source: https://www.adrenaline.com.br/hardware/chip-silicio-vira-usina-luz-quantica-futuro-computacao/
