IBM researchers have
developed the world's tiniest switch to rout optical data between
computer chip cores in an energy efficient way.
The system uses light pulses instead of electrons, with a
footprint about 100x smaller than the cross section of a human
hair.
The switching technology can significantly speed up chip
performance while using much less energy, said IBM.
In December 2007, IBM scientists announced the development of an
ultra-compact silicon electro-optic modulator, which performs the
job of converting electrical signals into the light pulses, a
prerequisite for enabling on-chip optical communications.
"This new development is a critical addition in the quest
to build an on-chip
optical network," said Yurii Vlasov, manager of silicon
nanophotonics at
IBM's TJ Watson
Research Center.
"In view of all the progress that this field has seen for the
last few years, it looks like our vision for on-chip optical
networks is becoming more and more realistic."