Researchers have developed a silicon-based chip which uses laser beams rather than wires to send data between chips, removing the most significant barrier in computer design.
With the laser beams replacing wires, chip makers may be able to put the high-speed data communications industry on the same curve of increased processing speed and diminishing costs by the phenomenon known as Moore's law that has driven the computer industry for the last four decades, the New York Times reported on Monday.
The silicon chip which can produce laser beams was developed by Intel, the world's largest chip maker and the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Commercializing the new technology may not happen before the end of the decade, but the prospect of being able to place hundreds or thousands of data-carrying light beams on standard industry chips is certain to shake up both the communications and computer industries, the report said.
With the laser beams replacing wires, chip makers may be able to put the high-speed data communications industry on the same curve of increased processing speed and diminishing costs by the phenomenon known as Moore's law that has driven the computer industry for the last four decades, the New York Times reported on Monday.
The silicon chip which can produce laser beams was developed by Intel, the world's largest chip maker and the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Commercializing the new technology may not happen before the end of the decade, but the prospect of being able to place hundreds or thousands of data-carrying light beams on standard industry chips is certain to shake up both the communications and computer industries, the report said.