A cross-university research team comprising Boston University, the University of California, Berkeley, and Northwestern University has successfully created the world’s first device that integrates quantum light sources with control electronics on a single chip, with the prototype designed using a commercial 45nm CMOS process. This pioneering achievement marks a significant step towards the practical application and scaling of quantum technology, and its results have been published in Nature Electronics.
Table of Contents
Micro-Ring Resonators: Key Components for Creating Quantum Light Sources
The core of this chip lies in using silicon-based micro-ring resonators as quantum light sources. The research team utilizes non-linear optical effects within these resonators to generate a “continuous stream of correlated photon pairs” (light particles), providing the necessary qubits for applications such as quantum communication, quantum sensing, and quantum computing.
However, while micro-ring resonators are highly efficient, they are extremely sensitive to temperature and manufacturing errors. Even a slight deviation can lead to unstable photon generation. Therefore, ensuring the stable operation of these resonators has become a critical challenge for realizing scalable quantum systems.
Real-Time Monitoring and Automatic Calibration: From Lab to Practical Platform
To ensure stable quantum light output, the research team embedded photodetectors and miniature heaters within each resonator, complemented by on-chip control logic. This enables real-time monitoring and automatic frequency calibration. This design gives the chip “self-monitoring and self-adjusting” capabilities, allowing it to stably produce quantum light sources even when facing environmental temperature differences or electromagnetic interference.
Through such a design, even if there are slight manufacturing variations or environmental fluctuations during chip operation, the system can maintain high stability. This is a key condition for the scalable application of quantum systems.
Single-Chip Integrated Quantum Light Factory
The research team built a “quantum light factory” array on the chip, with each unit being about 1mm², containing a total of 12 quantum light sources that can operate synchronously. Each light source needs to be precisely synchronized with a laser and maintain frequency consistency to stably produce high-quality photon pairs. By integrating heaters, photodiodes, and feedback control logic, each unit can be adjusted and synchronized in real-time, overcoming the previous obstacle of quantum light sources being unable to operate stably for extended periods.
CMOS Process Enables Quantum Technology: Breakthroughs in Cost and Manufacturability
Unlike many past quantum components that remained in the laboratory stage, this chip was entirely manufactured using a standard 45nm CMOS process. This means the technology is expected to be mass-produced directly on existing semiconductor production lines, significantly lowering manufacturing barriers and costs, and accelerating the commercialization of quantum technology.
This process was co-developed by Boston University and GlobalFoundries, as well as photonic chip startup Ayar Labs, the latter now a leading player in optical interconnects. Through collaboration with Northwestern University, this platform can not only realize the optical communication required for high-performance computing and AI but also extend to complex quantum photonic systems.
The Power of Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
The success of this research stems from the close collaboration across three major fields: electronics, photonics, and quantum measurement. Boston University Associate Professor Miloš Popović emphasized: “This is a significant step on our path to realizing scalable quantum systems, proving that it is possible to manufacture repeatable, controllable quantum chips in commercial foundries.”
Professor Prem Kumar of Northwestern University pointed out: “Without such interdisciplinary collaboration, it would be impossible to complete such a precise and stable quantum system.”
Broad Application Prospects, Challenges Still Ahead
The potential applications of this technology cover secure quantum communication, high-precision sensing devices, and the core architecture of quantum computers. Especially in the future construction of quantum networks, stable and controllable photon pair generation devices will be the fundamental basis.
However, this technology is currently in its prototype stage. The yield and cost structure for large-scale production have not yet been publicly disclosed, nor has specific quantum computing performance data been released. Future commercial application will require further testing, validation, and cross-disciplinary integration.
Conclusion: The Starting Point of the Quantum Revolution
This chip, combining quantum photonics and CMOS processes, undoubtedly opens a new door for quantum technology applications. Moving from academic research to practical application requires not only technological breakthroughs but also continuous cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovative thinking. Although the journey is long, this chip is undoubtedly an important starting point for the quantum future.
References:
- First Hybrid Quantum Chip Debuts, Combining Electronics, Optics, and Quantum Control in 45nm Process
- World’s First Hybrid Chip Combines Electronics, Photonics, and Quantum Power
- Danielius Kramnik, Imbert Wang, …, Miloš A. Popović (2025). Scalable feedback stabilization of quantum light sources on a CMOS chip, Nature Electronics volume 8, pages620–630. DOI: 10.1038/s41928-025-01410-5.
(Source: Boston University)
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