Columbia University researchers have taken an unprecedented leap for laser technology’s accuracy and responsiveness. They’ve pioneered the creation of high-power, multi-wavelength combs that can be miniaturized directly onto a single chip. Columbia University professors Michal Lipson and Alexander Gaeta are at the forefront of a pretty cool revolution. More powerful photonic computers could transform every modern computing system, creating more advanced data transmission capabilities.
The recently developed technology allows multiple beams of light to travel in parallel through a single fiber. This has a dramatic impact on the total volume of information that can be sent simultaneously. This compact laser solution removes the requirement of one beam per discrete data stream. It enables simultaneous transmission of multiple data streams, transforming efficiency for data centers with growing needs for light sources.
The Technology Behind the Breakthrough
This advanced breakthrough combines a laser that’s as powerful as it is compact onto a silicon photonics chip. The optical paths of light inside the chip are only a few microns across. The chip’s nonlinear optical properties are key. By taking one extremely strong laser beam and separating it into many tens of millions of evenly spaced laser colors, they create what’s called an optical frequency comb.
Andres Gil-Molina, a former postdoctoral researcher in Lipson’s lab who played an indispensable role in this project, reflected on the process.
“As we sent more and more power through the chip, we noticed that it was creating what we call a frequency comb.” – Andres Gil-Molina
This finding is important not just because it illustrates what the chip can do, but rather what it can achieve in the real world through practical application.
Implications for Modern Computing
Being able to combine the output of several laser sources to a single integrated compact device opens up many benefits. Before this advancement, data centers had to use racks of data centers packed with individual lasers to handle data streams. The innovative platform removes cumbersome, complex rigs with a simple solution. It provides a simpler solution that saves money and opens up precious real estate.
This innovation increases efficiency by over an order of magnitude. Further, it lays the foundation for safer, more efficient systems that are better-equipped to meet the increasing demands of today’s data-heavy world.
“The technology we’ve developed takes a very powerful laser and turns it into dozens of clean, high-power channels on a chip. That means you can replace racks of individual lasers with one compact device, cutting cost, saving space, and opening the door to much faster, more energy-efficient systems.” – Andres Gil-Molina
On Sept. 18, the research team published those findings in the highly-regarded journal Nature Photonics. This work represents an important step toward their mission of creating silicon photonics. Michal Lipson, the Eugene Higgins Professor of Electrical Engineering and a professor of Applied Physics, made the exciting announcement. This research is just another important step in their continued efforts.
A Step Towards Energy Efficiency
Researchers have long been excited about the prospects of making miniature and power-hungry light sources. They imagine this technology being deployed with far broader use cases. Gil-Molina noted the potential versatility of these devices:
“This research marks another milestone in our mission to advance silicon photonics.” – Michal Lipson
The need for worryless and speedy data transmission is reaching new heights. This important breakthrough will help determine what happens in that rapidly advancing future.
“If you can make them powerful, efficient, and small enough, you can put them almost anywhere.” – Andres Gil-Molina
As the demand for efficient data transmission continues to rise, this innovation stands to play a crucial role in shaping the future of technology.