A young Chinese computer chip developer, Shen Yichen is focussing on solving the problem of China’s chip availability by creating a chip that uses photons rather than electrons. While the rest of the chip manufacturing world (led by the US) gangs up on China, creating a shortage of fast chips for the manufacturing sector in that country, Shen Yichen believes that nano photonics is the way of the future and has set up a company to develop the technology.
Photonics, the study and use of photons (light particles), offers several advantages over traditional electronics when it comes to computer chips and data communication. Here are some of the key advantages of using photons over electronics:
- Speed:
Photons travel at the speed of light, which is significantly faster than the movement of electrons in electrical circuits. This property allows data to be transmitted at much higher speeds, leading to faster data processing and communication in photon-based computer chips. - Bandwidth:
Photons can carry a much higher amount of information per unit of time compared to electrons. This increased bandwidth allows for the transmission of large amounts of data in parallel, making photonics ideal for high-data-rate applications. - Low Latency:
The speed of light results in low latency in photon-based systems, reducing delays in data transmission and processing. This is particularly advantageous in applications that require real-time responses, such as high-frequency trading or critical communication systems. - Lower Heat Generation:
Electrical currents passing through traditional electronic circuits generate heat, which can lead to power inefficiencies and the need for cooling mechanisms. Photon-based systems, on the other hand, produce minimal heat since they rely on light signals rather than electric currents. - Reduced Interference:
Photons are less susceptible to electromagnetic interference, making photon-based systems more reliable in environments with high levels of electromagnetic noise. - Long-Distance Transmission:
Optical signals experience less attenuation (signal loss) over long distances compared to electrical signals, which are prone to significant losses. As a result, optical communication can cover longer distances without the need for frequent signal regeneration. - Potential for Integration:
Photonics can be integrated with traditional electronic components to create hybrid systems, allowing for a seamless combination of both technologies’ advantages. - Secure Communication:
Photons can be used to implement quantum communication techniques, such as quantum key distribution, enabling highly secure communication channels that are resistant to eavesdropping. - Lower Power Consumption:
Photon-based systems can be more power-efficient than their electronic counterparts, especially in high-performance applications, where the power consumption of electronic circuits can be a significant concern. - Compactness:
Photonics enables the creation of miniaturized and compact optical components and circuits, offering opportunities for higher component density and integration on a chip.
One of the key components in optical computer chips is the optical modulator. It converts electrical signals into light signals and vice versa, enabling the chip to interface with conventional electronic components and optical fibres efficiently. Various materials, such as silicon photonics, are used in the construction of these optical modulators to create compact and efficient integrated optical circuits.
It has been calculated that once developed, optical chips will increase the computing power of AI chips by 1000 times over electronic chips and that optical chips will also reduce energy consumption by 100 times.
Regardless of the politics, if successful, Shen Yichen and his company will revolutionise the field of computer chip manufacturing.