St. Petersburg:Russian and Chinese researchers have developed a method for optimizing microdisk lasers that could enhance photonic chips used in artificial intelligence systems and data centers. This development achieves a measured maximum modulation bandwidth of 4.15 gigahertz.

According to Qatar News Agency, the research was conducted by scientists at the International Laboratory of Quantum Optoelectronics at HSE University in collaboration with the Laser Institute of Qilu University of Technology in China. Their findings were published in the Journal of Lightwave Technology.

The team performed the first direct comparison of a microdisk laser's response speed under both optical and electrical excitation. This approach allowed them to determine the laser's operating speed upper limit more precisely, achieving a maximum -3 dB modulation bandwidth of 4.15 GHz using a 12-micrometer microdisk laser at room temperature based on InAs/InGaAs quantum dots.

The researchers noted that the ability to compare the laser's response under different excitation methods could lead to improved designs for photonic devices, speeding up the development of next-generation photonic chips. These chips, which use light rather than electrical signals to process information, offer advantages for high-speed, high-volume data movement essential for modern AI systems and data centers.

The technology could eventually enable the integration of multiple computing circuits on a single chip, allowing signals to move rapidly between them. The researchers also highlighted the potential for networks of optically interconnected microlasers to operate in ways inspired by neural networks or reservoir computing.

This work aligns with global research efforts into photonic computing as a solution to the increasing computational and data-transfer demands of artificial intelligence. Photonic accelerators are being explored for their potential to enhance throughput, latency, and energy efficiency compared to conventional electronic systems.