Research project could help create computers that run on light [photonic computers]

Gizmag ^ | 2007 Mar 15

[Wiz]

March 15, 2007 Physicists at the University of Bath will soon begin a research project which could be an important step towards the development of photonic computers – devices run using light rather than electronics – onto the desktop. The project involves research into attosecond technology – the ability to send out light in a continuous series of pulses that last only an attosecond, one billion-billionth of a second. The research could not only develop the important technology of photonics, but could give physicists that chance to look at the world of atomic structure very closely for the first time.

[Wiz]

After decades of vacuum tubes, and electronics, would we be seeing photonic computers and quantum computers as the next generation of personal computers? BTW, Would these photonic computers be a solution for military applications to counter EMP strikes that fries electronics?

[Wiz]

ping

[CarrotAndStick]

I doubt it. These systems will still require traditional electronics to drive the light-controlling circuitry.

[AntiGuv]

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[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Interesting. So will this make for a computer with more data storage that is faster and has more abilities for the average layman, or is it for governments and scientific organizations?

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

ping?

[wodinoneeye]

The problem is how do you make a switch using light that switches fast enough (without a chemical change). Photo multipliers as amplifiers and phase cancellation for negation.... Dimensional stability becomes critical (expansion of materials disrupts carefully placed geometries needed for wave based effects needed to make it work)

[Wiz]

I guess LED/solid state laser

[grey_whiskers]

Sorry, noticing the University of Bath brought to mind The Canterbury Tales:

Why else the proverb written down and set
in books: "A man must yield his wife her debt"?
"What means of paying her can he invent
Unless he use his silly instrument?"
Cheers!

[prophetic]

So within 3-5 years instead of 3-4 Gigahertz we'll be looking at something like 4 Terra-Hertz!!

Imagine the implication using this to do project like FAH (Folding at home); I'd be crunching 4000 WU per day.