Light Replaces Wires: A Quantum Breakthrough in Energy-Efficient Electronics

Scientists have discovered a way to control electric currents using light instead of wires. The breakthrough involves ultrathin materials called moiré Chern ferromagnets, which could slash energy use in electronics. The findings were published in Nature earlier this year. Moiré Chern ferromagnets are quantum materials made from layers just a few atoms thick. Electrons flow freely along their edges without resistance, but their direction depends on the material's magnetic field. Normally, resistance in devices generates heat, forcing large computing centres to spend heavily on cooling.

Researchers at MIT, led by Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, found that circularly polarised light can instantly flip the magnetic field's orientation. This allows precise, wireless control over electron flow—faster and more efficient than traditional wiring. The team's next steps include scaling up production for room-temperature use and testing designs for quantum computing components.

Optical steering of currents could eliminate the need for physical connections in some devices. The method is both rapid and energy-efficient, offering a potential solution to heat waste in electronics. The study suggests a future where light replaces wires in certain circuits, cutting power demands. Further work aims to bring the technology out of labs and into practical, large-scale applications. If successful, it could transform how computers and data centres manage energy.