Super-fast computers of the future will soon make use of manipulated glass, new research shows.
Computer scientists from the University of Surrey, University of Southampton and Cambridge University claim that the manipulated glass material will be able to transfer data at lightning speed, which will increase the processing speed of existing computers drastically.
The researchers explain that the electronic properties of amorphous chalcogenides can be altered to produce a material, which is essential for data technologies such as DVDs and CDs. Taking advantage of a new technique known as ion doping, researchers of the study were able to discover the new material. The latest discovered material has the ability to utilize light to combine various functions of computing in just one component that can create all-optical systems.
Modern-day computers are dependent on electrons, which can process applications and transfer information. However, data sources like the Internet mainly depend on optical systems. Fiber optics is used to transmit signals globally; however, once they reach computers these signals are changed to electrical signals. This conversion slows down the processing time and transmission time of data.
Dr. Richard Curry of Surrey's Advanced Technology Institute (ATI), who is the project leader, reveals that the key challenge is finding a sole material that can carry information in the computer effectively. As the Internet uses light to carry information, light should be used to process and transfer information within a computer.
Dr. Curry reveals that they have established a way to manipulate glass and conduct positive charges as well as negative electrons to create p-n junction devices.
"This should enable the material to act as a light source, a light guide and a light detector -- something that can carry and interpret optical information," says Dr. Curry.
The new technique can change the future of computers. People will be able to process and transfer information at a very high speed when compared to current speeds.
The study suggests that the novel technique can be integrated into computers in the next 10 years. Computer technologies have taken a big leap in the last few decades, which has helped to increase the speed of computers drastically. Computer enthusiasts hope that the new technique is used in computers as soon as possible for many to experience even faster computing.
