A team from Monash University (Australia) has developed a nanoscale photonic chip that integrates the generation, routing, and reading of light signals into a single device.
The device is built using ultra-thin materials just a few atoms thick. Engineers have integrated these with specially designed nanostructures (metasurfaces), enabling control of light at the level of individual quantum states.
Illustration of the photonic chip. Source: monash.edu.A key distinction is its operation at room temperature, as most quantum platforms still require cryogenic cooling.
This development falls under valleytronics—a field that uses the valley degree of freedom of electrons in a crystal to encode data. This quantum property allows for the formation of stable optical signals that can be directed and converted into electrical responses.
According to the researchers, this is the first time a compact photonic chip has been created that encompasses the entire cycle: from generating valley signals to processing and reading them. Previously, these components existed separately.
As a demonstration, the chip simultaneously encoded and processed two different images, showcasing its ability to handle multiple data streams in parallel.
The scientists view this technology as a potential foundation for scalable quantum computers, energy-efficient AI systems, and high-speed optical communication.
As a reminder, in May, Oracle and Classiq simulated a 36-qubit quantum circuit in the cloud.