Fully optical switch. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

All Optical Switch

26.09.2012

Computers are getting faster every year, but any advances in speed will be negligible if their ones and zeros are transmitted by flashes of light rather than electricity.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have taken an important step forward in the field of photonics. They created the world's first all-optical photonic switch from nanowires made from cadmium sulfide. In addition, they combined these photonic switches into a logic gate - the basic element of a digital circuit capable of performing elementary logic operations, on the basis of which computer chips are designed. These studies were conducted by Assistant Professor Ritesh Agarwal and PhD student Brian Pizzione in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Penn School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Also contributing to this work in the field of materials science are Chan-Hee Cho and Lambert van Vogt. The results were published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

The research team's innovation builds on earlier research showing that cadmium sulfide nanowires represent an extremely strong bond between light and matter. This makes them particularly effective materials for controlling light. This quality is crucial for the development of nano-photonic circuits, since the existing mechanisms for regulating the flow of light are cumbersome and require more energy than their electronic counterparts.

“The biggest challenge for photonic structures at the nanoscale is to take in the flow of light, do something with it, and then let it out,” Agarwal said. “Our main innovation is how we solved the first problem. the nanowires themselves on the chip became light sources."

The research team started with a precise cut of the nanowire. Then they sent a laser pulse to its first segment, receiving a miniature radiation source at the end of it in front of the second segment. Since both segments were made from a single nanowire and their ends exactly matched, the second segment effectively absorbed this radiation and directed the light further. Having received light in the second segment of the nanowire, the researchers extinguished it with an additional pulse from the side. Thus, an elementary logical switch has turned out. The scientists measured the intensity of the light coming out of the end of the second segment of the nanowire and found that the switch could effectively represent the binary states used in logic devices.

"By combining several of these switches, you can design logic elements and assemble logic gates," said Brian Pizzione. "We used these switches to build a NAND gate, the main building block of a modern computer chip."

<< Back: Evolutionary arms race 26.09.2012

>> Forward: Cancer is preventable 25.09.2012

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

OMRON Downsizes FPC Connectors 25.02.2008

OMRON, following the trend of miniaturization, has recently significantly expanded the range of FPC connectors while reducing their geometric dimensions. The product line includes an ultra-low version of the connector, which is only 0,5 mm thick when fully assembled, as well as solutions based on the smallest possible connector sizes.

For example, the XF2U measures just 3,5mm front to back with 0,5mm pin spacing and occupies only two-thirds of the board space compared to the previous XF2M family based on a 24-way connector type comparable to with solutions for a step of 0,3 mm. The XF2U can be used with a standard 0,2mm thick FPC cable and features a specially designed locking mechanism to reduce the number of connection steps. This connector has a height of 0,9 mm and double-sided contacts that allow you to insert the cable in any way.

The new FPC connectors expand the range of applications for 0,3mm, 0,2mm and 0,12mm cables. The XF2U 0,5mm pitch connectors are available in 14 different housing options from 10 to 50 tracks and are used with 0,3mm cable. The more compact XF2B solution with 0,3mm pitch allows for 0,2mm cable.

The inexpensive XF2C connector solution is 0,9mm high and can be used with 0,12mm cable. All of these new types of connectors XF2U, XF2C and XF2B have a locking mechanism and give the consumer a wide choice for a wide variety of design options for electronic equipment.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews