Wednesday 04 June 2025
Scientists have made a major breakthrough in the field of quantum technology, creating a device that can generate and detect squeezed light on a microchip. This achievement has significant implications for the development of ultra-precise sensors and secure communication systems.
Squeezed light is a type of quantum state where the noise in one direction is reduced, allowing for greater sensitivity in measurements. Currently, generating and detecting squeezed light requires complex equipment that is often bulky and expensive. The new device, developed by a team of researchers at the University of Maryland, uses integrated photonic circuits to create and detect squeezed light on a microchip.
The device works by using a process called four-wave mixing, where two intense beams of light interact with a third beam of light to produce a fourth beam that is phase-locked to one of the initial beams. This creates a squeezed state of light that can be used for various applications.
One of the main challenges in developing this technology was finding a way to generate and detect the squeezed light on a microchip. The researchers overcame this by using advanced materials and techniques, such as silicon nitride waveguides and phase-modulated quantum optical frequency combs.
The device has been tested and found to produce high-quality squeezed light with noise reduction of up to 5.6 decibels. This is a significant improvement over previous devices, which were limited to noise reductions of around 3-4 decibels.
This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of ultra-precise sensors and secure communication systems. For example, it could be used to create highly sensitive detectors that can measure tiny changes in magnetic fields or gravitational waves.
The device also has potential applications in secure communication systems. By using squeezed light, data can be transmitted more securely than with traditional methods, making it harder for hackers to intercept and decode the information.
In addition to its practical applications, this technology could also help us better understand the fundamental laws of physics. The ability to generate and detect squeezed light on a microchip opens up new avenues for research into quantum mechanics and the behavior of light at the smallest scales.
The development of this technology is an exciting step forward in the field of quantum technology, and it has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach sensing and communication. With further development and refinement, it could lead to a wide range of new applications that will have a significant impact on our daily lives.
Cite this article: “Microchip Breakthrough: Squeezing Light for Ultra-Precise Sensors and Secure Communication”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Quantum Technology, Squeezed Light, Microchip, Photonic Circuits, Four-Wave Mixing, Quantum Mechanics, Noise Reduction, Sensors, Secure Communication, Integrated Photonic Circuits
