Beijing has created an optical chip that breaks the limits of classical computing, capable of solving complex problems a thousand times faster than classical chips.
And it's already being used in AI, finance, biomedicine, and defense!
(Source: South China Morning Post)
1️⃣ A quantum chip made of light
China has created a photonic quantum chip — which uses light particles (photons) instead of electricity to process data.
The speed gain is massive. And energy consumption plummets. Ideal for AI, chemistry, networks, and banking.
2️⃣ Global Recognition on the Internet's Biggest Stage
The chip won the Leading Technology award at the World Internet Conference 2025, beating out 400 projects from 34 countries.
This is the first sign that the era of photonic computing has arrived.
3️⃣ The names behind the revolution
Developed by:
- CHIPX, from Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Turing Quantum, a Chinese deep tech startup
According to Professor Jin Xianmin, it is the world's first chip with total integration between photons and electronic circuits.
4️⃣ From lab to industry in record time
China is already operating a pilot line producing 12,000 wafers per year, each generating up to 350 chips.
According to the creators, this is the first time an optical quantum computer has become an industrial product.
5️⃣ Integrated Production: From Design to Final System
CHIPX closed the entire production cycle:
✔️ Design
✔️ Manufacturing
✔️ Packaging
✔️ Testing
✔️ Systems Integration
The goal is to accelerate adoption in AI, defense, and supercomputing.
6️⃣ Brutal Miniaturization: 1,000 Optical Components in 15 cm
The chip fits on a 15 cm wafer and incorporates over 1,000 optical components.
The design already allows scaling to 1 million qubits, a level necessary for quantum supremacy.
7️⃣ Engineering 10x Faster
The advancement is also in development time.
Projects that used to take 6 months are now completed in 2 weeks.
A 10x leap in engineering speed, according to the university.
8️⃣ Why do photonic chips matter so much?
They process data with light — using the color, frequency, and timing of photons.
Advantages:
- Faster
- Consumes less energy
- Ideal for AI, 5G/6G, finance, and quantum computing
9️⃣ The manufacturing barrier is beginning to fall
The material used — lithium niobate — is sensitive and difficult to work with.
But China is already able to produce it stably.
The next goal is to scale up to 8-inch wafers.
🔟 The new arms race is photonic
- Netherlands: SMART Photonics works with 4” wafers
- USA: PsiQuantum develops with 300 mm wafers
- China: already produces with 6” wafers and wants to scale up to 8”
The global competition now takes place like this.
1️⃣1️⃣ The yearning for better chips
The explosion of AI demands more computing power than classic chips can offer.
Photonic chips are the key to supporting larger, faster, and more efficient models.
1️⃣2️⃣ China Aims for Quantum Leadership with a Military Focus
The chip is not just innovation — it's a national strategy.
With it, China advances in the race for digital sovereignty, advanced artificial intelligence, and dominance in warfare and surveillance applications.