New signal amplification process set to transform communications, imaging, computing

Phys.Org ^ | 01/20/2015 | Provided by American Institute of Physics

[Red Badger]

Concepts involved in the cycling excitation process. Credit: Yuchun Zhou/UCSD

[Red Badger]

Tech Ping!...................

[Mr. K]

Am i misunderstanding this, or is this an optical transistor?

[Bogey78O]

If only Armstrong could see where his work started.

One century on and we’re still moving forward.

[Bogey78O]

What... Not where

[Red Badger]

It’s a way of amplifying light signals without the incurred noise factor. Will make very good sensors and cameras that can work in low light..................

[Obadiah]

In laymens terms, What?

What practical applications does this actually mean? Smaller electrionics due to increased signal strength?

[The Cajun]

Bookmark.

[Red Badger]

communications, imaging, computing...........

Imaging, for instance a camera that can see in very dark areas..................

[The Cajun]

Will make very good sensors and cameras that can work in low light..................

Getting closer to night vision flip downs for glasses?

[Bobalu]

A massively three-dimensional SoC using optical data communications instead of electrical conductors, perhaps?

[Obadiah]

So... significantly increased night vision in a smaller, lighter form factor?

[Red Badger]

A whole new world of low light electronics.......................

[Red Badger]

Yes, and without the fuzziness that is typical of NV that come from the electronic noise. Clear and focused. AND LOW POWER to boot. High voltages not necessary!...................

[Red Badger]

The method of manufacture is standard and has been for decades, so LOW COST as well!......................

[Obadiah]

Exactly what I was thinking. Will probably make current NV technology look ridiculously clunky.

Flip down visor/glasses with a small pack affixed to the helmet/hat.

[Bogey78O]

I imagine it’ll help with budgeting signal loss in fiber optics. Right now long range fiber has a loss per km. Better amplification I presume could allow longer distance between amplifiers which reduces latency, errors, and infrastructure.

[taxcontrol]

Smaller electronics, yes but not solely due to increased signal strength. There is also significant reduction in noise. This will work to reduce the need for post signal filtering and correction. Possibly removing substantial amounts of post signal correction.

Of the two positives (better signal strength and lower noise), I am of the opinion that lower noise will remove more of the size of components from the mix.

[taxcontrol]

I can also see the possibility of improvements in a wider range of wavelengths. Imagine combining the entire spectrum from IR to UV and everything in between into night vision.

[Jewbacca]

Cameras as thin as paper.