6 November 2024

ERC Synergy Grant for Jonathan Finley: Creating innovative computer chips that integrate photonics and electronics

Typically, computer chips are made from silicon and operate using electrons, but photons - or particles of light - could transmit data far faster and with significantly less energy-consumption. Prof. Jonathan Finley’s innovative approach focuses on developing chips from hexagonal silicon-germanium (SiGe), a material whose unique atomic arrangement enables it to emit light. This could provide a seamless integration of photonic and electronic functions on a single chip, paving the way for both faster, more efficient traditional computers and transformative advancements in quantum computing. For instance, millions of quantum memory units, or "qubits," could be linked through photons. SiGe-based lasers would also allow for ultra-fast optical data transmission, and quantum communications could achieve unprecedented levels of encryption security.

The project “Bright Chips” is a collaboration with Prof. Erik Bakkers (TU Eindhoven) and Prof. Floris Zwanenburg (Uni Twente). Jonathan Finley has held the Chair of Semiconductor Nanostructures and Quantum Systems at TUM since 2013 and is co-coordinator of MCQST's RU-E: Quantum Metrology and Sensing.

"I am looking forward very much to exploring this new form of SiGe and testing its suitability for building novel quantum devices.” says Prof. Finley. He also mentiones that the grant will allow his group “to focus with significant resources on this exciting new semiconductor materials system.”

Congratulations!


Text adapted from the news on the TUM webpage.