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Integrated, ultrafast all-optical polariton transistors with sub-wavelength grating microcavities
Pietro Tassan1,2, Darius Urbonas3, Bartos Chmielak4
1IBM Research Europe - Zurich, Rüschlikon, Switzerland.
Light, Science & Applications
|January 11, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed compact all-optical transistors using silicon photonics and organic materials. These devices enable ultrafast switching and amplification, paving the way for faster optical logic circuits.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Materials Science
- Optoelectronics
Background:
- All-optical logic offers a path beyond electronic speed limitations.
- Scalable all-optical circuits require materials with strong nonlinear interactions for efficient switches.
- Previous microcavity approaches faced limitations in circuit integration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate ultrafast all-optical transistor action using integrated microcavities.
- To develop a scalable platform for all-optical logic circuits.
- To overcome limitations of vertical cavity geometries in polaritonics.
Main Methods:
- Leveraging silicon photonics technology for integrated microcavities.
- Utilizing π-conjugated polymers as optically active materials.
- Achieving exciton-polariton condensation at ambient conditions.
- Demonstrating transistor action via coupled resonators and seeded polariton condensation.
Main Results:
- Exciton-polariton condensation achieved in integrated sub-wavelength grating microcavities.
- Demonstrated ultrafast all-optical transistor action with picosecond switching times.
- Achieved optical amplification up to 60x and an extinction ratio up to 8:1.
- Device dimensions as small as 2×2 µm².
Conclusions:
- The developed compact, in-plane integrated all-optical transistor is a key component for scalable optical logic.
- This technology enables potential operation speeds two orders of magnitude faster than electronic circuits.
- Ambient condition operation and silicon photonics integration enhance practicality and scalability.
