CU Denver Engineers Develop Chip for Extreme Fields

Researchers at the University of Colorado Denver, led by Aakash Sahai, have developed a silicon-based chip capable of generating extreme electromagnetic fields previously requiring large-scale facilities like the Large Hadron Collider. This innovation, detailed in Advanced Quantum Technologies, utilises the vibration of electrons within the material, enabling the creation of these fields within a device approximately the size of a thumb. The chip’s ability to withstand high-energy particle beams and manage resultant heat represents a core advancement, and has been granted provisional patents in the US and internationally, with design and testing conducted at CU Denver and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, respectively. Sahai’s foundational work on this technology began in 2018, initially focusing on antimatter accelerators.

Compact Field Generation

The creation of extreme electromagnetic fields, previously requiring large facilities such as the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, is now achievable through a newly developed silicon-based material. This chip-like material is capable of withstanding high-energy particle beams and managing energy flow, enabling the generation of these fields within a device approximately the size of a thumb. The material’s ability to manage heat generated by electron oscillations and maintain structural integrity is central to this advancement, potentially allowing for a significant reduction in the scale of particle colliders.

Manipulating high energy flow while simultaneously preserving the material’s structure constitutes the core innovation of this technology. This capability has already been recognised with the granting of provisional patents in both the United States and internationally. The design and testing of this technology were conducted at CU Denver and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, respectively, demonstrating a collaborative approach to its development.

The generation of these extreme electromagnetic fields has potential applications in areas such as the search for phenomena including dark matter. Furthermore, the technology could facilitate the development of gamma-ray lasers capable of imaging tissue at the atomic level, and contribute to improved medical treatments, including targeted cancer therapies at the nanoscale. The research team, led by Aakash Sahai, is currently focused on refining the silicon-chip material and the associated laser technique at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

Potential Applications

Beyond facilitating research into phenomena such as dark matter, the generated extreme electromagnetic fields possess potential applications in advanced imaging technologies. Specifically, the technology could enable the development of gamma-ray lasers capable of imaging tissue at the atomic level, thereby advancing our understanding of biological structures and processes.

Furthermore, the ability to generate and manipulate these fields may contribute to fundamental theoretical investigations. The research team suggests the technology could be used to test theories concerning the universe, including the possibility of a multiverse and the underlying fabric of reality.

The potential impact extends to medical treatments, with the possibility of developing targeted cancer therapies at the nanoscale, leveraging the precision afforded by these compact and intense electromagnetic fields. Currently, the research team led by Aakash Sahai is focused on refining both the silicon-chip material and the associated laser technique at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

Research and Development

Aakash Sahai’s foundational work began in 2018 with research on antimatter accelerators, preceding the development of this technology. This background informs the current research focused on refining the silicon-chip material and laser technique at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

The University of Colorado Denver, where this research originated, makes a significant contribution to the Colorado economy, with an annual impact of $800 million, underscoring the broader economic implications of this scientific advancement. Sahai holds a PhD in plasma physics from Duke University, and has held research positions at Imperial College London and Stanford University, indicating a sustained and extensive background in relevant fields of physics. Kalyan Tirumalasetty, a graduate student involved in the project, is currently pursuing doctoral and masters degrees in electrical engineering at CU Denver, demonstrating the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of the research.