MIT Researchers Invent Diode For Light in Optical Circuits

[Guest]

Researchers at MIT have developed a new device that eliminates the need for the conversion of optical to electronic (and, conversely, electronic to optical) signals.

MIT Researchers Invent Diode For Light in Optical Circuits : Read more

 

[husker]

I wonder if this means the value of an unblemished garnet will go up in Skyrim.

 

[bebangs]

i hope it can play crysis.

 

[dogman_1234]

If they can make a diode this way, think of a transistor that could use this tech. shrink it down to atom size, apply quantum mechanics, and viola! Near-pure quantum processing.

 

[ben850]

My body is ready

 

[danraies]

I saw the link and thought it would be cool to see a picture of one of these "diode's." That was the only reason I clicked the link. I then saw the picture of the enormous microscope and realized the absurdity of that first thought.

Also, any guesses on what's on that sticky note? I'm putting my money on "don't hit your head on this wheel."

 

[iamtheking123]

In the end though they're still a LONG way off from doing anything close to optical computing. Hell there's still debate on whether it's even possible to use light to do anything practically useful for computing (other than move data around through fiber).

 

[iamtheking123]

[citation][nom]danraies[/nom] I'm putting my money on "don't hit your head on this wheel."[/citation]

I believe it says "Did you mind the bump?"

 

[Max Collodi]

[citation][nom]danraies[/nom]I saw the link and thought it would be cool to see a picture of one of these "diode's." That was the only reason I clicked the link. I then saw the picture of the enormous microscope and realized the absurdity of that first thought.Also, any guesses on what's on that sticky note? I'm putting my money on "don't hit your head on this wheel."[/citation]
It says, and I quote "Did you raise the heater ??"

 

[snowpeak]

This is for optical switches, not optical computing. If the technology can be made into an affordable real world device it would enable complete optical networking and allow some really high speed/high volume internet speeds. Right now all fiber optic cables lead to electronic switches (routers and such).

 

[alyoshka]

And I thought Intel had already done something of the sort....

 

[Guest]

@snowpeak

a transistor is a switch of sorts, figure out how to make an optical switch is a step away from an optical transistor which is a step away from an optical CPU.....

 

[lathe26]

... so... MIT invented the one-way mirror?

Think of all the applications for law enforcement! Of course, some TV show like CSI will show it before a practical version shows up in the real world.

 

[lunaticwoda]

Wonder if this tech could help with photonic processing!!

 

[hetneo]

[citation][nom]snowpeak[/nom]This is for optical switches, not optical computing. If the technology can be made into an affordable real world device it would enable complete optical networking and allow some really high speed/high volume internet speeds. Right now all fiber optic cables lead to electronic switches (routers and such).[/citation]
As much as know garnet is rather cheap mineral, I think that rings with stone of 2 carat weight go for $100-$150 depending on the metal of ring. So depending on other expenses it could lead to cheaper and faster products and higher availability of fiber optics based communication devices.

 

[WyomingKnott]

I read the title and assumed that they had re-invented the LED.