Photonic chip enables light switching
Researchers have demonstrated a photonic device that uses light to control light, enabling ultrafast switching at record-low energy levels.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Montana State University have developed a photonic device that allows light signals to be controlled using light itself, pointing toward faster and more energy efficient computing systems.
The device combines a single layer of molybdenum diselenide with a photonic crystal nanocavity to enhance interaction between light and matter at the nanoscale.
It uses exciton polaritons, hybrid light matter quasiparticles, to achieve ultrafast optical switching with extremely low energy consumption.
The nanocavity traps light in a very small space, strengthening interactions and enabling switching at around 4 femtojoules of energy.
Researchers say the approach could support future all optical computing systems and scalable photonic circuits for artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.
