Researchers at Monash University have developed a compact chip that can generate, route, and read light-based information all within a single device. This breakthrough in valleytronics uses atomically thin materials and nanostructures to control a quantum property of light called the «valley degree of freedom», enabling new ways to encode and process data. The team overcame a key challenge: previously, researchers could either generate or detect such signals, but not integrate all functions into one system. The device operates at room temperature — a major advantage over many quantum systems that require extreme cooling. In tests, the chip successfully encoded and processed two images simultaneously, demonstrating its ability to handle multiple data streams. The technology could pave the way for faster, more energy-efficient computing systems, advance quantum technologies, and improve optical communications.
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