China Develops Chip for Ultra-Precise Observations of the Universe
Chinese scientists from Tsinghua University have developed a revolutionary spectroscopic chip called RAFAEL, which could transform the methods used to observe the universe, Kazinform reports citing China Daily.
The RAFAEL chip, based on lithium niobate and known in China as Yuheng, addresses a long-standing issue with traditional instruments, where higher resolution often reduced light transmission and increased efficiency came at the cost of accuracy. The sensor enables the collection of complete spectral data with high precision and throughput.
During testing, RAFAEL recorded the spectra of about 5,600 stars in a single exposure — more than one hundred times the efficiency of the best modern astronomical spectrometers.
Professor Fang Lu of Tsinghua University, one of the project’s authors, stated that the compact yet powerful chip opens new opportunities for scientific research in astrophysics and materials science.
According to researchers, the name Yuheng comes from the fifth star in the Big Dipper constellation, which ancient Chinese astronomers used to calibrate celestial movements — symbolizing precision and harmony.
