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Optical Computer Made From Frozen Light

Posted by Zonk on from the now-they-need-to-work-on-sabers dept.

neutron_p writes "Scientists at Harvard University have shown how ultra-cold atoms can be used to freeze and control light to form the "core" - or central processing unit - of an optical computer. Optical computers would transport information ten times faster than traditional electronic devices, smashing the intrinsic speed limit of silicon technology. This new research could be a major breakthrough in the quest to create super-fast computers that use light instead of electrons to process information. Professor Lene Hau is one of the world's foremost authorities on "slow light". Her research group became famous for slowing down light, which normally travels at 186,000 miles per second, to less than the speed of a bicycle."

6 of 441 comments (clear)

  1. hmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic
    thats about as slow as Zonk(/, submitter)s brain then!

  2. I'm pretty sure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    that a Beowolf cluster of these would be pretty fantastic.

  3. Re:Disaster scenarios of the future... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    OMG that is so unfunny! You are so hilariously unfunny that I shat myself thinking about it. Now I'm sitting in a pile of my poop, wishing that you weren't so unfunny.

    Asshat turdular braindud.

  4. MOD PARENT UP! by objekt · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Funny.

    --
    -- Boycott Shell
  5. lene hau by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    have you seen her pic? she's hot!!

  6. Re:Means nothing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I MOD YOU GOOD, BWA hahahaha