On The Flip Side: Israel Paving The Way For Next Generation Computers

Now, I'm not the biggest techy geek, but I know a good thing when I see it. Jerusalem's Intel R & D center, in conjuction with its headquarters back in California, is developing the next generation optical based laser chips that will increase our computers' speed by over a thousand-fold. I don't know much, but I think that's a good thing.

Intel J'lem sheds light on speedy laser technology

Intel's Jerusalem research and development center and the chip maker's Santa Clara headquarters has developed a new concept to answer a foreseen bottleneck in data communication transfer, which will increase the speed of future generation computers a thousandfold.

"This technology removes one of the last major barriers to producing low-cost, highbandwidth silicon-based optical devices for use inside and around future computer and data centers," Intel said ahead of the release of the new technology on Monday.

The company carried out the research in partnership with the University of California, Santa Barbara, to develop a "proof of concept" for an electrically powered hybrid silicon laser using silicon manufacturing processors - a world first, Intel said.

In layman's terms, Nahum Izhaky, photonics technology development manager at Intel Jerusalem and head of the Israeli team involved in the project, explained that the technology allows data to be transferred from chip to chip via light, or laser electrons, rather than copper wiring, thus overcoming major limitations expected to come to the fore from the current system.
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