Seoul National University team unveils chip that slows light on demand
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A joint research team led by Professors Namkyoo Park and Sunkyu Yu at Seoul National University (SNU) has developed a programmable photonic integrated circuit that can control the speed of light in real time. The chip uses coupled-resonator-induced transparency to slow optical signals, addressing a key challenge in optical computing. The findings were published June 30 in Advanced Science.
The Breakthrough
The SNU team's photonic integrated circuit can slow light with higher degrees of freedom than any previous method, according to simulations. The chip is programmable, allowing real-time reconfiguration of signal delay and frequency range—unlike conventional coupled-resonator-induced transparency (CRIT) structures, which have fixed characteristics after fabrication. This flexibility is critical for optical computing, where buffer and memory functions require variable light speed.
Why It Matters
Rapid advances in generative AI and large-scale models have exposed the limits of electronic semiconductors, including high power consumption and limited data transmission speeds. Optical computing promises low-power, ultrafast processing, but the fixed speed of light has made it difficult to implement essential buffer and memory functions. The SNU chip directly addresses this bottleneck by enabling on-demand slowing of optical signals.
The Technology
The chip is based on coupled-resonator-induced transparency, an optical phenomenon that selectively transmits light within a specific frequency range while slowing its propagation. The joint team, including Professor Xianji Piao of the University of Seoul, demonstrated control over both the speed and shape of optical signals. The study was published June 30 in the peer-reviewed journal Advanced Science.
What's Next
The team plans to further develop the chip for integration into data centers and optical communication systems. It remains unclear when the technology will move from simulation to commercial prototypes.
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Seoul National University team unveils chip that slows light on demand
