Beating US Sanctions, Chinese Scientists Achieve Mass Production Of Optical Chips At Low Cost

Chinese researchers have discovered an economical way to mass-produce optical chips, which could potentially soften the impact of U.S. sanctions.

What Happened: Chinese researchers have developed a cost-effective technique for mass-producing optical chips, crucial for supercomputers and data centers, potentially circumventing U.S. sanctions, South China Morning Post reported on Monday.

The breakthrough involves photonic integrated circuits (PICs), which utilize light particles to process and transmit data, enhancing speed and reducing energy use. These chips are integral to fiber optic communications and the burgeoning field of photonic computing.

According to Ou Xin, a professor at the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, and Tobias Kippenberg from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, the high costs and limited wafer size have previously restricted the industrial adoption of this technology. Their findings were detailed in a recent Nature publication.

The team chose lithium tantalate (LiTaO3) over the commonly used lithium niobate for its superior properties and compatibility with low-cost, large-scale production methods similar to those used for silicon. This material is already in use for 5G radiofrequency filters in smartphones, indicating its commercial viability.

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The new method involves deep ultraviolet stepper-based manufacturing, allowing the creation of low-loss PICs. This advancement is expected to help China mitigate the effects of stringent export controls and sanctions from the US and its allies, which target China’s access to advanced chips and manufacturing equipment.

A start-up linked to the Shanghai Institute, Novel Si Integration Technology, can already produce 8-inch wafers using lithium tantalate and has developed methods for commercial micromanufacturing. This positions China to potentially lead in the production of domestic optical and radiofrequency chips.

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Why It Matters: The breakthrough in optical chip production by Chinese scientists comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions between the United States and China over technological supremacy. The tightening of US semiconductor export regulations in October affected companies like Nvidia Corp and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. reflecting growing discord between the two nations. Moreover, the Biden administration’s recent revocation of export licenses to Huawei from major US chipmakers like Broadcom and Advanced Micro Devices underscores the strategic importance of semiconductor technology in US-China relations.

Furthermore, the upcoming discussions in Geneva between the US and China, as reported by Benzinga, on the risks of advanced artificial intelligence indicate a broader engagement on technological issues. The US’s stance on not negotiating its policies during these talks suggests a firm approach to maintaining its technological edge.

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