Achieving strong optical nonlinearities in silicon using an electron avalanche effect, enabling control of light with a single photon

https://phys.org/news/2025-12-optical-modulation-silicon-electron-avalanche.html

"single free electron generated by 1 absorbed photon is accelerated by applying high voltage to silicon diode, gaining enough energy to collide with atoms/ create multiple additional free electrons in chain reaction... significantly amplifies resulting change in silicon's metallicity... effect modulates reflected intensity of 2nd, macroscopic optical beam, mimicking photonic transistor... increases silicon device's nonlinear refractive index, at room temperature, no optical cavity needed, CMOS fabrication compatible"