Research uses light for super-fast all-optical computers

The research, published in the Nature Communications journal, has found that it is possible to change the electronic properties of amorphous chalcogenides, a glass material integral to data technologies such as CDs and DVDs, by using a technique called ion doping.

Currently, computers use electrons to transfer information and process applications, while data sources such as the internet rely on optical systems which transfer information using light. Optical fibres are used to send information around the world at the speed of light, but these signals then have to be converted to electrical signals once they reach a computer. This causes a significant slowdown in processing.

Dr Richard Curry, University of Surrey and Research Project Leader, commented: “The challenge is to find a single material that can effectively use and control light to carry information around a computer. Much like how the web uses light to deliver information, we want to use light to both deliver and process computer data. This has eluded researchers for decades, but now we have now shown how a widely used glass can be manipulated to conduct negative electrons, as well as positive charges, creating what are known as ‘pn-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. In doing so, this could transform the computers of tomorrow, allowing them to effectively process information at much faster speeds.”

In the short term, the glass is already being developed and used in next-gen computer memory technology known as CRAM, and it is expected that the results of this research will be integrated into computers within 10 years.