Overview

• The Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems at IIT Madras developed the high-speed module using photons on a silicon chip.
• The license was formalized on August 18 through IIT Madras's Technology Transfer Office, with Secretary S. Krishnan congratulating the team.
• A prototype went to DRDO and a refined unit was deployed at SETS Chennai for quantum-security applications, demonstrating field readiness.
• Silicon photonics enables compact, scalable manufacturing compared with bulky lab setups, supporting wider deployment in secure systems.
• Reported uses include cryptographic keys, quantum key distribution, defense communications, financial transactions, OTP generation and gaming.