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Category: computing – Page 28

New technique using Raman scattering can dramatically improve laser linewidth for better quantum computing

Macquarie University researchers have demonstrated a technique to dramatically narrow the linewidth of a laser beam by a factor of over ten thousand—a discovery that could revolutionize quantum computing, atomic clocks and gravitational wave detection.

In research published in APL Photonics, the team described using diamond crystals and the Raman effect—where laser light stimulates vibrations in materials and then scatters off those vibrations—to narrow the linewidth of laser beams by factors exceeding 10,000.

Laser linewidth measures how precisely a beam of light maintains its frequency and color purity. The narrower the linewidth, the more monochromatic and spectrally pure the laser. The team’s theoretical predictions suggest even greater improvements are possible with the method they have developed.

First electronic–photonic quantum chip created in commercial foundry

In a milestone for scalable quantum technologies, scientists from Boston University, UC Berkeley, and Northwestern University have reported the world’s first electronic–photonic–quantum system on a chip, according to a study published in Nature Electronics.

Scientists design stable enzymes for non-natural reactions with near-natural efficiency

Weizmann Institute of Science-led researchers have unveiled a computational workflow that crafts enzymes exhibiting catalytic efficiencies surpassing 100,000 M−1 s−1, achieving performance comparable to natural biocatalysts without extensive refinement.

Ultrafast coherent dynamics of microring modulators

An ultra-compact, ultra-wide-bandwidth in-phase/quadrature modulator on a silicon chip is demonstrated, enabling coherent transmission for symbol rates up to 180 Gbaud and a net bit rate surpassing 1 Tb s−1 over an 80 km span, with modulation energy consumption as low as 10.4 fJ bit−1, and promising enhanced performance and scalability for future networking infrastructures.

Ultrathin clay membrane layers offer low-cost alternative for extracting lithium from water

Lithium, the lightest metal on the periodic table, plays a pivotal role in modern life. Its low weight and high energy density make it ideal for electric vehicles, cellphones, laptops and military technologies where every ounce counts. As demand for lithium skyrockets, concerns about supply and reliability are growing.

To help meet surging demand and possible supply chain problems, scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have developed an innovative technology that efficiently extracts lithium from water. Several team members also hold joint appointments with the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) at the University of Chicago.

The findings appear in the journal Advanced Materials.

Industrial Electronics

Growth in 2.5D and 3D packaging solutions has accelerated off-the-board technology and the components which leverage it, both in terms of the fastest digital processors but also in proprietary ASICs and application processors. As high-bandwidth digital channels approach the practical limits of copper interconnects, silicon photonics and on-PCB/in-package optical interconnects may emerge as the next transformative wave of off-the-board technology.

This opinion is shared by insiders within the PCB and packaging side of the industry.

“Off the board technology is growing at an amazing rate, and isn’t being replaced by optical solutions, it’s enabling more optical solutions,” said Joe Dickson, senior VP chip-to-chip reliability and innovation at WUS PCB International. “They are not competition, they are tools to go much farther than we can today.”

Zombie fabs plague China’s chipmaking ambitions, failures burning tens of billions of dollars

Many Chinese semiconductor fab projects failed due to a lack of technical expertise amid overambitious goals: some startups aimed at advanced nodes like 14nm and 7nm without having experienced R&D teams or access to necessary wafer fab equipment. These efforts were often heavily reliant on provincial government funding, with little oversight or industry knowledge, which lead to collapse when finances dried up or scandals emerged. Some fab ventures were plagued by fraud or mismanagement, with executives vanishing or being arrested, sometimes with local officials involved.

To add to problems, U.S. export restrictions since 2019 blocked access of Chinese entities to critical chipmaking equipment required to make chips at 10nm-class nodes and below, effectively halting progress on advanced fabs. In addition, worsening U.S.-China tensions and global market shifts further undercut the viability of many of these projects.

So, let’s go over some of China’s most ambitious fab projects, many of which have fallen into oblivion, or have become a dreaded zombie fab.

New System Lets Multiple Users Share a Single Quantum Computer

PRESS RELEASE — Quantum computers have operated under a significant limitation: they can run only one program at a time. These million-dollar machines demand exclusive use even for the smallest tasks, leaving much of their expensive and fast-running hardware idle and forcing researchers to endure long queues.

Columbia Engineering researchers have developed HyperQ, a novel system that enables multiple users to share a single quantum computer simultaneously through isolated quantum virtual machines (qVMs). This key development brings quantum computing closer to real-world usability—more practical, efficient, and broadly accessible.

“HyperQ brings cloud-style virtualization to quantum computing,” said Jason Nieh, professor of computer science at Columbia Engineering and co-director of the Software Systems Laboratory. “It lets a single machine run multiple programs at once—no interference, no waiting in line.”

Antibody mapping chip speeds up vaccine research by revealing hidden binding sites quickly

A new microchip invented by Scripps Research scientists can reveal how a person’s antibodies interact with viruses—using just a drop of blood. The technology offers researchers faster, clearer insights that could help accelerate vaccine development and antibody discovery.

“This lets us take a quick snapshot of antibodies as they are evolving after a vaccine or pathogen exposure,” says Andrew Ward, professor in the Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology at Scripps Research and senior author of the new paper published in Nature Biomedical Engineering on June 3, 2025. “We’ve never been able to do that on this timescale or with such tiny amounts of blood before.”

When someone is infected with a virus, or receives a vaccine, their creates new antibodies to recognize the foreign invader. Some antibodies work well against the pathogen, while others attach to it only weakly. Figuring out exactly which parts of the virus the best antibodies stick to is key information for scientists trying to optimize vaccines, since they want to design vaccines that elicit strong, reliable immune responses.

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