Trump admin backs xLight for faster chips

The Trump administration is investing in xLight, a startup that wants to make computer chips faster using special lasers.

The Department of Commerce said it will invest up to $150 million, but did not mention how much of the company it will own.

It is the first investment by the CHIPS Research and Development Office since the Trump administration took control of a $7.4 billion semiconductor research institute.

The startup is creating lasers that use less electricity, which are important for machines that print chip designs on silicon. xLight’s lasers, derived from particle accelerator technology, promise far lower electricity consumption than current models.

Former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger joined as executive chairman in March, strengthening the team’s semiconductor expertise.