In a groundbreaking research study led by Professor Wang Cheng from City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), a world-leading microwave photonic chip has been developed. This chip is capable of performing ultrafast analog electronic signal processing and computation using optics, making it 1,000 times faster and more energy-efficient than traditional electronic processors.
Applications
The applications of this innovative technology are vast and diverse, ranging from 5/6G wireless communication systems to high-resolution radar systems, artificial intelligence, computer vision, and image/video processing. The chip’s potential impact on various industries is significant, as it offers faster processing speeds and lower energy consumption compared to existing technologies.
Research Findings
The research findings were published in Nature in a paper titled “Integrated Lithium Niobate Microwave Photonic Processing Engine,” showcasing the collaborative efforts between CityUHK and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). The study addresses the growing demands of wireless networks, the Internet of Things, and cloud-based services by utilizing microwave photonics technology for signal generation, transmission, and manipulation.
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The team behind the development of this chip successfully integrated ultrafast electro-optic conversion with low-loss, multifunctional signal processing on a single chip. This achievement has not been realized before and represents a significant advancement in the field of microwave photonics. The chip is based on a thin-film lithium niobate platform, enabling high-speed analog computation with broad processing bandwidths and excellent computation accuracies.
The researchers have been dedicated to exploring the capabilities of the integrated LN photonic platform for several years. Their work builds upon previous advancements in electro-optic modulators on the LN platform, paving the way for the current breakthrough in analog electronic processing and computing. The development of LN microwave photonics opens up new possibilities for compact, high-fidelity, and low-latency microwave photonics chips.
The development of a world-leading microwave photonic chip by Professor Wang Cheng and his team represents a significant milestone in the field of analog electronic signal processing and computation. The chip’s innovative features and potential applications across various industries make it a game-changer in the realm of microwave photonics technology.
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