Chi3 Optics
Dr. Tsung-Han Wu, CEO, Chi3 Optics
Tsung-Han Wu, Ph.D. is the Founder and CEO of Chi3 Optics, a pioneer in bringing chip-scale quantum and optical frequency comb technologies from the lab to commercial applications. He earned his Ph.D. from the Wyant College of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona and conducted groundbreaking nanophotonics research in collaboration with Dr. Scott Diddams at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
During his time at NIST, Dr. Wu led research in non-linear integrated photonics, where his team was among the very first to demonstrate blue frequency comb generation and octave-spanning broadened combs using chirped-poled thin-film lithium niobate (TFiLN). This milestone unlocked unprecedented efficiency in spectral broadening and wavelength conversion on a monolithic chip platform.
Driven by a vision to miniaturize complex optical systems, Dr. Wu founded Chi3 Optics to commercialize next-generation, ultra-compact, and fully portable laser frequency combs. Powered by custom-designed nanophotonic devices, Chi3 Optics’ technology eliminates the bulk and vulnerability of traditional lab-based laser setups. Under his leadership, the company is bridging the gap between advanced integrated photonics manufacturing and real-world deployment across precision metrology, quantum technology, and high-performance optical sensing.
Topic:
Pioneering Frequency Infrastructure for Next-Generation Technologies and Applications
Abstract:
Next-generation quantum, artificial intelligence, and communication technologies require compact, precise, and scalable frequency infrastructures. This work focuses on developing mode-locked, chip-scale optical frequency combs as a versatile platform for generating highly coherent and evenly spaced frequency channels. By integrating mode-locking mechanisms with engineered nanophotonic structures, these frequency combs can provide broad spectral coverage, low-noise operation, and precise frequency control within a compact device footprint.
The proposed platform will support applications in quantum sensing and metrology, including high-resolution spectroscopy, precision timing, and the detection of weak physical signals. It may also enable coherent control and readout of quantum systems, as well as scalable frequency-domain architectures for quantum information processing. In artificial intelligence, densely spaced comb lines can serve as parallel optical channels for high-speed photonic computing, neural-network acceleration, and efficient data processing. Furthermore, optical frequency combs can bridge optical and microwave domains, enabling low-noise microwave generation, microwave photonic signal processing, and coherent communication systems.
Through the design, fabrication, and characterization of tailored nanophotonic devices, we aim to optimize dispersion, nonlinearity, mode confinement, and coupling to achieve reliable on-chip mode locking. This flexible design-and-fabrication capability will allow the platform to be adapted to different materials, wavelength ranges, and system requirements. Ultimately, the project seeks to establish an integrated frequency infrastructure that connects photonics, quantum technologies, AI, and microwave systems while opening pathways toward a broader range of scientific and technological applications.
Key Technologies Covered:
- Mode-locked on-chip optical frequency combs
- Integrated nanophotonic design and fabrication
- Dispersion and nonlinear optical engineering
- High-coherence, low-noise frequency generation
- Quantum sensing and precision metrology
- Quantum control, readout, and information processing
- Photonic AI and optical neural-network acceleration
- Microwave photonics and low-noise microwave generation
- High-resolution spectroscopy and precision timing
- Coherent optical communications and signal processing
- Multi-wavelength photonic integration
- Scalable chip-level frequency infrastructure