Xanadu and HyperLight Cut Optical Switch Loss to 7 mdB With Lithium Niobate Chips

At a glance

Quantum computing company Xanadu and optical chip maker HyperLight say they have cut light loss in an optical switch to 7 mdB (thousandths of a decibel). That is about one-third of their 2025 record of 20 mdB.

Key points

1. 1

   An optical switch redirects single particles of light that carry quantum information.

2. 2

   Lower loss means less laser power and fewer spare components are needed.

3. 3

   The result was repeated across production wafers, the companies say.

4. 4

   The same technology could also make optical routing in AI data centers more power-efficient.

Why it matters

Scaling up practical quantum computers depends heavily on reducing light loss.

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• The Quantum InsiderXanadu and HyperLight Reduce Photonic Switch Loss to 7 mdB