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Slow Light = Fast Computing

Posted by Zonk on from the yay-light-beams dept.

yohaas writes "The Washington Post is reporting that scientists have been able to slow the speed of light while still maintaining its ability to transmit information. The researchers have even developed a way to 'tune' the process, modulating how fast or slow the light goes within controlled circumstances. From the article: 'Scientists said yesterday that they had achieved a long-sought goal of slowing waves of light to a relatively leisurely pace and using those harnessed pulses to store an image. Physicists said the new approach to taming light could hasten the arrival of a futuristic era in which computers and other devices will process information on optical beams instead of with electricity, which for all its spark is still cumbersome compared with light.'"

5 of 134 comments (clear)

  1. Are there any more reputable links? by Slithe · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I have not RTFA yet, but are there any other links (such as from arXiv) that would detail the techniques used in more detail.

    --
    ---- "XML is like violence. If it doesn't fix the problem, you aren't using enough."
  2. Wrong Way by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    We need to increase the speed of light so interstellar travel is actually possible.

  3. You bathe in a stream of liquid shit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    as you ponder your next Gentoo install, you feel right at home.

  4. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  5. mod Down by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    number of FrreBSD Volu8e of NetBSD