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PHOTONIC FUTURE
The Accidental ‘Rainbow Chip’: How a Serendipitous Discovery Could Supercharge the Internet
Inside the discovery that could accelerate data centers, enable smarter sensors, and light the path to a photonic future
In science, some of the most transformative discoveries have happened by accident, from penicillin to microwave ovens. Now, another serendipitous breakthrough could join that list. Researchers at Columbia Engineering have unintentionally developed a tiny chip that emits a brilliant spectrum of colors — a “rainbow chip” that may redefine the future of data transmission and sensing technology.
Initially, the team’s goal was far more specific: to improve LiDAR systems, the light-based technology used in self-driving cars, drones, and even smartphones to measure distance with remarkable precision. But in the process of building high-power chips for brighter laser beams, they stumbled upon a new way to produce frequency combs — special patterns of light that could multiply the speed and capacity of modern communication systems.
What Exactly Is a Frequency Comb?
To understand the excitement, we first need to grasp the magic of a frequency comb. Imagine…
