• Applied physicists in the Harvard John A. • Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have discovered a new way to generate ultra-precise, evenly spaced “combs” of laser light on a photonic chip, a breakthrough that could miniaturize optical platforms like spectroscopic sensors or communication systems.
Article Summaries:
- Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has developed a chip‑scale microcomb that uses lithium niobate to produce ultra‑precise, evenly spaced laser light. The new device generates a frequency comb directly on a photonic chip, eliminating the need for bulky external lasers. By integrating the comb source into a compact platform, the technology could reduce the size and cost of optical systems used in spectroscopy, sensing, and high‑speed communications. The breakthrough demonstrates lithium niobate’s potential as a versatile material for on‑chip photonics, paving the way for more portable and efficient optical devices.
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