World’s First Programmable Nonlinear Photonics Chip
This allows multiple optical functions on a single chip, unlocking new possibilities for tunable light sources, optical computing, and quantum communication systems.
NTT Research, in collaboration with Cornell and Stanford University, has achieved a major milestone in photonics by developing the world’s first programmable nonlinear photonic chip, redefining how light-based devices operate.
This advancement shatters the long-standing “one device, one function” limitation by enabling multiple nonlinear-optical functions on a single, reconfigurable chip—paving the way for advances in optical computing, quantum technologies, and next-generation communications.
Unlike conventional photonic components—each designed for a single task fixed during fabrication—the new waveguide uses a silicon nitride core whose optical nonlinearity can be dynamically tuned using structured light patterns.
Redefined how light-based devices operate
Author summary: Breakthrough in photonics enables multiple functions.