Optical computing: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:33, 14 October 2006

Revision as of 23:39, 5 November 2006

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Recent research shows promise in temporarily trapping light in [[crystal]]s. Trapping light is seen as a necessary element in replacing electron storage for computer logic.

While photonic computing is still seen as impractical by many, research is being pushed along by strong market forces already implementing networking and, thus, creating opportuniesopportunities. Recent years have seen the development of new conducting [[polymer]]s which create transistor-like switches that are smaller, and 1,000 times faster, than silicon transistors.

[[Optical switch]]es switch optical wavelengths. Optical switching, while not all-optical, has already become important in networking environments. 100 [[terabit]]-per-second data-handling is expected within the decade. Existing technologies include: