China has officially launched its first production line for thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic chips, marking a strategic move to strengthen its foothold in the global AI, quantum computing, and 6G technology sectors.

The production initiative, spearheaded by Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Chip Hub for Integrated Photonics Xplore (CHIPX), aims to enhance China's competitive edge in the mass production of high-performance photonic chips.

Constructed over three years, the facility employs advanced techniques like annealing to meet stringent fabrication standards, resulting in improved surface quality essential for the functionality of photonic chips.

TFLN is celebrated for its ultra-fast electro-optic response, wide bandwidth, and low power consumption, making it highly suitable for various photonic applications.

The CHIPX pilot line has surpassed global performance benchmarks, achieving a modulation bandwidth of over 110 GHz and ultra-low signal loss, which facilitates rapid chip iterations.

Unlike traditional semiconductor chips that rely on electrical signals, photonic chips utilize light for data transmission and processing, offering faster and more efficient performance crucial for AI model training and quantum communication.

With an impressive annual capacity of 12,000 6-inch wafers, the pilot line is well-equipped to swiftly respond to the growing market demand for photonic chips.

The facility's rapid production capabilities enable weekly iterations of quantum photonic chips, significantly accelerating advancements in technology.

Beyond computing, photonic chips are expected to have wide-ranging applications, including in laser gyroscopes, lidar, and biosensing technologies.

This production line signifies a major milestone after nearly 15 years of research and development, led by Professor Jin Xianmin, despite challenges in mass production due to the brittle nature of TFLN.

China's photonics industry is on the rise, with significant investments flowing into companies like Hangzhou-based Xili Photonics, and CHIPX is recognized as a priority platform by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

The CHIPX team envisions a future where computing architectures leverage light for both data transmission and calculations, potentially revolutionizing fields such as AI and quantum computing.