nanovation.com · Domains · Slashdot Mirror

Photonic Computers by Valdrax · 2000-04-06 23:14 · Score: 2 · on Holy Grail "Opt-Chip" - 100GB/sec?

Does anyone else remember this article from a year ago about the first "photonic circuits" being developed by a company called Nanovation? The link to the story in that article is dead, but I found another one. Ever since then, I've been pondering how to get around the hideous bottleneck that modern memory is, and the only solution I've arrived at is to make an optical RAM equivalent based on similar technology. The only problem is that, I haven't been able to figure out a way of connecting it to the CPU without basically including it as an unupgradeable L2 or L3 cache with normal slow memory beyond it.

Now, however, we have a device capable of nicely interfacing with an optical cable for 100 GB/sec speeds. This may be the interface we need for making "slots" for upgradable optical RAM. Cool! I can't wait to get to move to fully optical computers. This is the technology of the future. I just hope that the people creating these technologies will be willing to license their patents out to other companies.

Re:Photonic Crystals by voidzero · 2000-03-07 00:17 · Score: 1 · on Pure Optical Network Switches

One of the authors mentioned, Joannopoulos @MIT, has a link to Nanovation Technologies, which company I have mentioned earlier.

Press release and up you go.

Resonance is Faster than Producing Bubbles Using I by voidzero · 2000-03-07 00:00 · Score: 1 · on Pure Optical Network Switches

Nanovation Technologies prototyped an optical switch on 15 April 1999. Further info here.

At OFC2000 today, Nanovation displayed new optical switches, splitters and modulators.
From their press release:
"These switches, splitters and modulators are the first of what will be an extensive offering of integrated photonic components from Nanovation. These products will help businesses and consumers access the full power of all-optical communications in a cost-effective manner," said G. Robert Tatum, president and CEO of Nanovation. "Companies will now be able to build their own customized, optical integrated circuits, thanks to the advanced capabilities of Nanovation components."

Nanovation's new and revolutionary Nanoshutterä technology outperforms other optical switching products by providing a latching switch mechanism for reduced power, very wideband operation, and the ability to integrate these switches with other functional components. This innovative patent-pending technology combines silicon MEMS switches with a proprietary silica-on-silicon wave-guide process, which will enable Nanovation to offer optical components not only with substantial size and cost advantages, but unparalleled flexibility in optical systems architecture - all on a single integrated device.

The offerings from the switch family using Nanoshutterä technology include versions of the following:
Wide band 1X2 optical switch
Wide band 1X2 optical switch with integrated 5% monitoring taps
Wide band 2X2 optical switch
Wide band 2X2 optical switch with integrated 5% monitoring taps
Wide band 1X4 optical switch
Wide band 1X8 optical switch
Wide band 1X16 optical switch

Nanovation's new offerings for the 1310 nm and 1550 nm telecommunications bands include versions of the following members of the silica-on-silicon wave-guide splitters product family using NanoblockTM technology.
Single mode 1X8 wide band optical splitter
Single mode 1X16 wide band optical splitter
Single mode 2X8 wide band optical splitter
Single mode 2X16 wide band optical splitter

The company also demonstrated its 1550 nm high-speed switching technology using Indium Phosphide materials. First components planned around this technology include sub-nanosecond optical switches and high-speed modulators.

A listing of their product line is here. You can download the specs there in PostScript format.

I have been following this company with some interest since their mention on /. Q1 1999.