Nicholas Harris

Founder, CEO at Lightmatter | Menlo Park, California, United States

About Nicholas Harris

Nicholas Harris, as the Founder and CEO of Lightmatter, stands at the forefront of the rapidly evolving field of integrated photonics, where his extensive expertise in physics and nanotechnology is shaping the future of computing. With a remarkable portfolio of over 50 patents and 80 publications in prestigious journals such as Nature, Nature Photonics, and Nature Physics, Nicholas has been instrumental in pioneering the research domain of programmable photonics. His innovative work bridges the gap between quantum and classical information processing, enabling the development of advanced optical chips that promise to revolutionize data processing efficiency.

At Lightmatter, Nicholas is not only leading the strategic vision of the company but also fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration among his teams. Under his leadership, Lightmatter has successfully raised more than $450 million from prominent investors, including Sequoia, GV (Google Ventures), and Spark Capital. This funding has been pivotal in advancing key projects focused on the design and production of cutting-edge silicon photonics chips that leverage the principles of solid-state physics and analog processing for enhanced performance and reliability.

Nicholas’s multifaceted role encompasses engineering, product development, and marketing, ensuring that Lightmatter remains at the cutting edge of semiconductor technology. His deep understanding of image processing and semiconductor reliability further enhances the company's capabilities in delivering robust solutions for a variety of applications, from artificial intelligence to high-performance computing. As he continues to drive innovation at Lightmatter, Nicholas Harris is not only redefining the landscape of photonic technology but also inspiring the next generation of researchers and engineers in this dynamic field.

Nicholas Harris Work