Scientists Cross Photonic Hurdle to Faster Computer Chips

Research groups at the California Institute of Technology and the University of California, San Diego claim to have discovered a path to light signals on a silicon chip from reflecting backwards and interfering with its operation.

"This discovery will help to realize a long-term goal of combining electronics with photonics to enable scalable, energy-efficient and cost-effective technology that will have a tremendous impact on such information systems as supercomputers, the Internet, and data centers," said Yeshaiahu Fainman, professor and chair of the UC San Diego Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. "Computer technology will be able to handle a lot more data, faster and at lower cost, which will benefit large-scale business and government users as well as gadget-loving consumers."

Douglas Perry
Contributor

Douglas Perry was a freelance writer for Tom's Hardware covering semiconductors, storage technology, quantum computing, and processor power delivery. He has authored several books and is currently an editor for The Oregonian/OregonLive.

  • mcvf
    And where is a link to the paper?
    Reply
  • BluntObjection
    This just in, Breaking news!

    Folding@home cluster running on light cures death.

    Reply
  • theguy82
    I am all for technological advances...keep 'em coming..
    Reply
  • mister g
    I'll beleive it when I see it. There are so many technologies out there I doubt more than a few of them will make it into mass production. Still, I wish them the best of luck.
    Reply
  • SirDevon
    Photonic hurdle = Fast as light computing?

    Sign me up!
    :P :hello:
    Reply
  • dread_cthulhu
    Can I haz? Once this is implemented... it sounds like computers really will be all smoke and mirrors!
    Reply
  • dogman_1234
    More tech to put into computers...pretty soon, computer will run on black holes with a single hydrogen atom processor. I will be dead when that happens though.
    Reply
  • sseyler
    mister gI'll beleive it when I see it. There are so many technologies out there I doubt more than a few of them will make it into mass production. Still, I wish them the best of luck.
    This is still in the realm of applied physics, not "technology", so I'd hold your undue pessimism until later.
    Reply
  • amigafan
    Yes I would like my motherboard to glow like commander Data's positronic brain when I open the case :)
    Reply
  • 11796pcs
    What's the difference between a circuit and a transistor? Are they the same because they sure sound like they are the same thing. Any clarification anyone?
    Reply