Boston University Researchers Create First Electronic-Photonic Quantum Chip

Scientists from Boston University, UC Berkeley, and Northwestern University have created the world's first electronic-photonic-quantum system on a chip, according to a study in Nature Electronics. The system combines quantum light sources and stabilizing electronics to produce reliable streams of correlated photons, paving the way for mass-producible "quantum light factory" chips and large-scale quantum systems. The advance is a milestone for scalable quantum technologies, including quantum computing, communication, and sensing.

Scientists from Boston University, UC Berkeley, and Northwestern University have achieved a significant milestone in quantum technology with the creation of the world's first electronic-photonic-quantum system on a chip, as reported in a study published in Nature Electronics [1]. The system combines quantum light sources and stabilizing electronics to produce reliable streams of correlated photons, a key resource for emerging quantum technologies such as quantum computing, communication, and sensing.

The development of this system is particularly notable for its potential to enable mass-producible "quantum light factory" chips and large-scale quantum systems. The researchers utilized a standard 45-nanometer semiconductor manufacturing process to create an array of "quantum light factories" on a silicon chip, each less than a millimeter by a millimeter in dimension. This process involves the use of microring resonators, which are highly sensitive to temperature and fabrication variations but can generate quantum light streams efficiently.

To address the challenges posed by these variations, the team integrated photodiodes inside the resonators to monitor alignment with incoming laser light while preserving quantum light generation. Additionally, on-chip heaters and control logic continually adjust the resonance in response to drift, ensuring that each chip behaves predictably despite temperature changes and fabrication variations.

The successful integration of quantum light sources and stabilizing electronics on a single chip marks a significant step towards scalable quantum systems. This development was made possible through close collaboration with industry partners, including GlobalFoundries and Silicon Valley startup Ayar Labs, which grew out of research at Boston University and UC Berkeley. The chip was fabricated in a commercial 45-nanometer complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chip platform, originally developed through this collaboration.

The study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing quantum technologies from the lab to scalable platforms. The researchers emphasized that the kind of collaboration required for this work is crucial for moving quantum systems from theoretical concepts to practical applications.

In the broader context of semiconductor investments, this development comes amidst a backdrop of shifting global investment strategies. While some major chipmakers, such as Broadcom, have scaled back or adjusted their investment plans in Europe due to political and economic factors [2], other companies continue to invest heavily in the region. For example, TSMC plans to open a chip design center in Munich, Germany, and has partnered with Infineon, NXP, and Robert Bosch to build a EUR 10 billion semiconductor manufacturing facility in Dresden [2].

The creation of the electronic-photonic-quantum system on a chip underscores the potential for quantum technologies to revolutionize various industries. As quantum photonic systems progress in scale and complexity, chips like this could become building blocks for technologies ranging from secure communication networks to advanced sensing and, eventually, quantum computing infrastructure.

References:
[1] https://techxplore.com/news/2025-07-electronicphotonic-quantum-chip-commercial-foundry.html
[2] https://www.trendforce.com/news/2025/07/14/news-broadcom-reportedly-scraps-1-billion-chip-investment-in-spain/