Ultra-broadband Photonic Chip Boosts Optical Signals

(EPFL, March 19, 2025)

Scientists from EPFL and IBM Research Zurich, led by Prof. Dr. Tobias Jan Kippenberg and Dr. Paul Seidler, have developed a compact optical amplifier on a photonic chip that outperforms traditional amplifiers in bandwidth and efficiency. By using gallium phosphide, this breakthrough offers a solution for the increasing need for fast data transmission across a broad range of wavelengths in data centers, AI accelerators, and high-performance computing. The team developed a traveling-wave parametric amplifier (TWPA) that leverages gallium phosphide's high Kerr nonlinearity and refractive index while minimizing two-photon absorption. This led to the creation of a small spiral waveguide where light waves amplify each other, resulting in efficient signal boosting with minimal noise. This innovation promises significant advancements in optical sensing, metrology, and LiDAR systems for autonomous vehicles, moving towards more compact, efficient optical communication systems. EPFL and IBM's work sets a new standard through their innovative use of materials and design.