Mass-Producible Photonic Chips Could Unlock Quantum Scaling

University of Colorado at Boulder engineers just figured out a key step in quantum computing adoption – scalability. The extreme precision required to create quantum devices hasn’t been reproducible on a large scale, meaning that their costs are still out of the reach of the majority of people.

Thankfully, this situation is set to change in the coming years as this recent development utilizes traditional CMOS fabrication methods to create stable quantum chips that are much smaller and affordable than anything available today. Here’s what you need to know.

Quantum vs. Classical Computing: The Photonic Difference

Unlike traditional computers, Quantum computers don’t utilize bits and traditional chips. Instead, they rely on quantum superposition and qubits to solve computations. One of the most popular ways to build quantum computers revolves around utilizing optical photonic modulators.

These devices enable quantum computers to leverage trapped ions or neutral atoms as qubits. These chips allow engineers to guide a tunable laser at the qubits, which communicate operating instructions for calculations via frequency modulations.

The Scalability Bottleneck: Why Mass Production Failed

There are several problems with the current manufacturing methods for quantum computers. Primarily, there are none in terms of mass production. These chips are so sensitive and precise that they need to be lab-built on an individual basis in most instances. Currently, the assembly method relies on engineers putting most of the device together by hand.

Additionally, these devices integrate high-power laser beams to provide precision tuning capabilities to multiple qubits. As such, they need to be reliable and heat-resistant, especially when you consider that future quantum computers could utilize thousands of qubits.

Form Factor Limits

Current quantum chips are too big to be used in most applications. They require cryogenic cooling, long optical paths, and spaced-out qubit designs. This setup indeed helps to reduce noise, but it makes them extremely large compared to traditional computer chips.

Additionally, future generations of quantum computers will use more qubits, meaning the most advanced quantum computers today are still just a drop in the bucket compared to what will be publicly available in a decade or so. Consequently, these devices will need to be shrunk down to a reasonable form factor before they achieve large-scale adoption.

Heat Destroys the Quantum State

All of the laser energy used to communicate with the qubits is another issue, as it creates a lot of heat. Heat has always been problematic for computers, regardless of their setup. However, quantum computers rely on maintaining a fragile quantum state to perform calculations. That’s why they require cryogenic cooling. Consequently, heat can render these devices inoperable.

Breakthrough: CMOS-Compatible Photonic Circuits

The study “Gigahertz-frequency acousto-optic phase modulation of visible light in a CMOS-fabricated photonic circuit,” ​​published¹ in the journal Nature Communications, introduces an entirely new approach for producing optical quantum chips.

The new process is seen by many as the first step towards the photonic computer revolution. The device, which is 100x thinner than a strand of hair, integrates modular technologies to create a new level of efficiency and stability.

This purpose-built gigahertz-frequency acousto-optic phase modulator combines a piezoelectric transducer and a photonic waveguide, minimizing form factor while maintaining wavelength-scale structure.

Optical Phase Modulator

The upgraded optical phase modulator can control laser light using microwave frequencies. The microwaves cause the light to become excited and vibrate billions of times per second, enabling precise tuning, alongside added stability and efficiency. Specifically, the acousto-optic modulator integrates a photonic waveguide mounted on a piezoelectric transducer.

CMOS Fabrication Enables Mass Production

In order to meet the strict size requirements, the engineers decided to create the device on a 200-mm wafer that was then cut into 120 different chips. The process used a piezo-optomechanical aluminum nitride-SiNx platform, enabling engineers to utilize phase modulation to create gigahertz-frequency sidebands on a 730-nm laser input.

Even more impressive is that they relied on standard chip manufacturing techniques to create the devices, meaning that they can be mass-produced in the future, opening the door for more quantum computing access.

When discussing their approach, the engineers spoke about how CMOS fabrication is the pinnacle of scalable technology and how employing it as a means to create quantum chips is crucial to further adoption.

Specifically, the engineers discussed how this technology has made many of your favorite high-tech devices possible, including smartphones, laptops, and other devices that you depend on daily. They explained how it helped propagate this technology and how it will do the same for quantum-powered devices of the future.

Source – Nature Communications

Dual-Mode Operation: Optical and Electromechanical

Notably, the optical phase modulator can operate in two distinct modes. The first is the propagating optical mode, which propagates and guides photonic waveguides on circuits. This strategy supports entanglement distribution, routing, and coherence, making it crucial for most operations.

The second mode is electrically excitable breathing-mode mechanical resonance, which relies on microwaves applied to nanostructures, creating piezoelectric actuation. These microwaves alter photon oscillation rates and optical fields. Notably, this mode supports high optical powers, making it ideal for advanced quantum computations.

Performance Benchmarks: Stability & Efficiency

The engineers conducted several tests on a radio frequency spectrum analyzer to test the chip’s output. To accomplish this task, the team mounted the chip on an arm that had a laser source coupled to a fiber interferometer.

The other end of the device was connected to an acousto-optic frequency shifter (AOFS). The engineers passed light through both ends of the device and then recombined it using a 50/50 directional coupler. This enables the photons to be directed at the spectrum analyzer, increasing accuracy.

The new chip achieved an optical power rating of 730NM, which surpasses the 500mW goal set out by engineers. Additionally, the team was able to tune the device’s geometry to further enhance optomechanical interaction. This test revealed modulation depths reaching 4.85 rad using only an 80mW microwave set to 2.31GHz.

Impressively, the unit registered the lowest frequency loss of any chip to date. Specifically, the engineers noted that the new chip was 15x more stable and 100x more efficient in terms of microwave power requirements than the current quantum chips in use.

Key Advantages of CMOS Fabrication

There are many benefits that mass-produced photonic chips will bring to the market. For one, they can be fabricated in massive numbers, enabling the technology to go from exclusive access to a popular computing option. This method of fabrication is more affordable and would enable engineers to create relatively small quantum computers that integrate thousands of qubits.

Swipe to scroll →

This fabrication method is capable of, for the first time, creating identical versions of these high-tech, intricate devices. This capability means that engineers will be able to create and distribute their future quantum computer designs to the masses using already existing methods.

Small Size

One of the biggest advantages of this layout is its small size. At 100x smaller than a human hair, these chips are capable of supporting powerful quantum computer designs. These units will integrate 1000s of qubits like IBM’s (IBM -1.21%)Condor chip, which handles 1,121 qubits but has a much larger form factor due to the larger laminate.

High Performance

Impressively, these chips could provide computing power on par with today’s most advanced machines. They can support over 500mW of optical power, which is the current top end for high-end quantum computing. Also, the new chip design supports more optical power and precision while consuming far less power.

More Efficient

The phase modulation used in this approach requires far less microwave power compared to predecessors. Specifically, the engineers noted that their device can perform quantum actions using 80x less energy. Consequently, it produces much less heat, enabling it to be coupled with more chips to create more powerful devices.

Real-World Applications: Sensing & Networking

There are several applications of this technology. The obvious use is going to be supporting future Quantum computer design. These high-performance chips are small enough to be packed together tightly and energy-efficient enough not to create overheating concerns in this configuration.

Quantum Sensing

Quantum sensors provide far greater accuracy compared to traditional sensors. They accomplish this task through the use of superposition, entanglement, and squeezing. These actions allow the device to accurately measure changes in magnetic fields, gravity, time, temperature, and more. These chips could help make these sensors more affordable.

Quantum Networking

Another key application is Quantum networking. This tech leverages entanglement to communicate data at high transmission rates. Specifically, it utilizes quantum Bell pairs and teleportation to transfer states without cloning. The goal of this technology is to create an infrastructure for the quantum internet one day.

Path to Commercialization: The 7-10 Year Roadmap

It will be around 7-10 years before this technology makes it to the public. Crucially, this manufacturing technique will be a driving factor in pushing the adoption of quantum technologies, but first, it must be perfected. However, once partnered with the right manufacturer, the low-cost strategy will support further integration and adoption.

Research Team & Funding

The University of Colorado at Boulder hosted the photonic chips study with participation from Sandia National Laboratories. Specifically, Nils T. Otterstrom, Matt Eichenfield, Jacob M. Freedman, Matthew J. Storey, Daniel Dominguez, Andrew Leenheer, and Sebastian Magri contributed to this work.

The study received financial and material support from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Quantum Systems Accelerator program, which is hosted by the National Quantum Initiative Science Research Center.

Future Research Goals

Now the team will set its sights on creating integrated photonic circuits capable of exceeding past performance measures. The group seeks to enhance its chip frequency generation and filtering capabilities, alongside its pulse shaping approach, to further performance.

Also, the engineers will find strategic partners to help put their fabrication method into operation. This step means reaching out to the leading CMOS fabrication sites and securing a portion of their plant for this new chip design.

Top Quantum Computing Stock to Watch

The quantum computing sector continues to expand, with competition increasing monthly. Today’s leading quantum computer designers, chip manufacturers, and programmers continue to push this technology to new heights, opening the door for innovations in computational power. Here’s one company that remains at the forefront of this revolution.

IonQ (IONQ): A Leader in Trapped-Ion Systems

IonQ (IONQ +0.13%) launched in 2015 to drive quantum tech forward. The company was founded by two quantum computing experts, Christopher Monroe and Dr. Jungsang Kim. Notably, Monroe has been pivotal in quantum studies and is regarded as a pioneer in the industry.

IonQ has helped innovate the tech, including creating the first operational 5 ytterbium ion chip running the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm. It also launched the first commercial trapped-ion QCaaS. These developments helped the company successfully secure $636M.

Currently, the company offers several high-level quantum products, including their Aria 32-qubit rack mount system. Additionally, the company has secured strategic partnerships with AWS/Azure/Google Cloud, and other leading cloud providers.

Those seeking a reputable quantum computing provider that has years of experience should consider doing more research into IonQ. The company currently has a market cap of $16.3B. Notably, its stock has seen some volatility recently, with a high of $84.64 and a low of $17.88.

Latest IonQ (IONQ) Stock News and Performance

Conclusion

The importance of successfully developing a way to mass-produce photonic chips cannot be understated. This technology is at the core of quantum computing expansion and will need to be perfected before this technology becomes publicly accessible. This latest development is sure to reduce the costs of creating quantum devices, which, in turn, should provide a stable supply of chips to the market in the future.

Learn about other Cool Computing Tech Breakthroughs Here.

References

^{1. Freedman, J. M., Storey, M. J., Dominguez, D., Leenheer, A., Magri, S., Otterstrom, N. T., & Eichenfield, M. (2025). Gigahertz-frequency acousto-optic phase modulation of visible light in a CMOS-fabricated photonic circuit. Nature Communications, 16(1), 10959. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65937-z}