"Tiny Photonic Chip Produces High-Quality Microwave Signals"

Columbia Engineering researchers have developed a tiny photonic chip that can produce high-quality, ultra-low-noise microwave signals using only a single laser, representing a significant advancement in optical frequency division. This breakthrough paves the way for compact and stable microwave sources with potential applications in high-speed communication, atomic clocks, and autonomous vehicles. The chip, which is small enough to fit on a pencil point, demonstrates the process of optical frequency division without the need for electronics, simplifying device design and offering new possibilities for future telecommunication devices.