Photonic chips

Photonic chips: The Government of India is supporting research in Photonic Chips to advance next-generation computing, including 6G, AI, quantum computing, and data centers.

• About Photonic Chips: It use light instead of electricity for data processing and transmission.

o Offer ultra-high speed, high bandwidth, and good energy efficiency.

o Generate minimal heat and are immune to electromagnetic interference.

o Support dense parallelism, making them suitable for 6G, AI, quantum computing, data centers, optical interconnects, neural network acceleration, and quantum communication.

• Recent Government Initiatives & Targets:

o Research Support for Photonic Chips: The Ministry of Electronics and IT, supporting research in Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) based on various material platforms such as Silicon, Lithium Niobate, Diamond, Polymer, or Composite, along with packaging technology.

o Department of Science and Technology (DST): Implementing the National Quantum Mission, to set up a Thematic Hub on Quantum Computing at IISc Bengaluru.

ü Focus on developing photonic qubits and photonic quantum processors to drive research in photonic chip technology.

o Cybersecurity & AI Initiatives by CERT-In (MEITY): CERT-In issues alerts and advisories on cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and ML-based malicious attacks.

o Safe & Trusted AI (IndiaAI Mission): Safe and Trusted AI is one of the seven pillars of the IndiaAI Mission.

o Development of Quantum Technologies: Government institutions like CDOT and CDAC are developing quantum technologies such as: Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) solutions → Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) → Quantum-secure smart Video IP phone with quantum-secured voice/video calling.

o Neuromorphic Computing Research: Brain-inspired approach to designing hardware systems using neural networks and spiking signals.