Silicon‐Based Quantum Dot On‐Chip Optical Frequency Comb: The Next‐Generation Information Technology Photonic Engine

In next‐generation optical communication systems, energy consumption and integration density stand as critical bottlenecks limiting the capacity and speed of data transmission. Semiconductor silicon‐based quantum dot (QD) on‐chip optical frequency combs (OFC) have emerged as a transformative photonic engine that fulfills stringent requirements for high‐capacity, low‐power, and robust integrated light sources. This review surveys the fundamental principles, material innovations, device architectures, and state‐of‐the‐art advances of silicon‐based QD OFCs, which uniquely combine the atom‐like density of states and ultra‐broad gain of QDs with the scalability and complementary Metal‐Oxide‐Semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility of silicon photonics. We analyze key challenges in material epitaxy, resonant cavity design, and large‐scale photonic integration, while highlighting representative applications in data center interconnects, optical communications, LiDAR, and precision sensing. As a compact, mass‐producible integrated platform, silicon‐based QD OFCs are poised to drive the next generation of high‐performance photonic integrated circuits and revolutionize broadband information processing.