A joint research team from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) and Pennsylvania State University has successfully developed a novel chip technology based on gigahertz acoustic waves (also known as phonons). This chip utilizes 1.5GHz high-frequency acoustic waves, replacing traditional electrons or photons for information transmission. Topological waveguides ensure stable acoustic wave transmission, maintaining signal integrity even through bends and defects.
To verify the feasibility of the technology, the joint research team used a laser vibrometer to track the phonon trajectory and, for the first time, integrated a Mach-Zehnder interferometer into an acoustic system. Experiments demonstrated that acoustic waves can be precisely split into two paths and recombined, enabling active information processing. This breakthrough holds potential for applications in communications, sensors, and quantum computing, while also being smaller and more reliable than traditional acoustic devices.
Research leader Mourad Oudich stated that the technology was inspired by integrated photonics, and the future goal is to integrate acoustic systems with electronic and photonic technologies to create multimodal hybrid chips. Phonons, quantum particles that vibrate in a crystal lattice, possess unique properties that promise to overcome the physical limitations of existing chips. Their properties make acoustic waves less sensitive to material defects than light or electrons. This topological acoustic waveguide circuit is more compact and reliable than traditional acoustic devices, and holds promise for future applications in wireless communication filters, high-precision sensors, and quantum computer components.
Here are the key innovations of this research:
Topological phonon waveguide: An interference-resistant acoustic transmission structure
GHz acoustic interferometer: The first active processing of acoustic information
Hybrid chip approach: Integrating acoustic, electronic, and photonic systems
