The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created a new chip design with 32 tiny lasers, a development that will support future standards for quantum hardware. Although this is not a formal protocol itself, the research establishes a scalable method for bonding lasers to silicon, which is essential for standardizing quantum device manufacturing. This breakthrough addresses a long-standing challenge in making lasers small enough to fit on microchips.
The resulting chips are small enough to fit in a vehicle and can power portable atomic clocks and sensors, unlike current equipment that requires a refrigerator-sized setup. Patents were filed in 2023 and research published through 2025, indicating the technology is ready for commercial use. This advancement paves the way for compact quantum computers and sensors that operate efficiently without relying on GPS signals.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/noac/integrated-photonic-circuits-and-chip-laser
Keywords: integrated photonic chips, heterogeneous integration, chip-scale lasers
