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'Slow' Light To Speed Up the Net
JPawlak writes "Researchers believe that it may be possible to increase the speed of the Internet by slowing down certain parts of it by using metamaterials. Metamaterials could be used to replace the bulky and slow electronics that route Internet information, allowing for faster Internet speeds. As data nears its destination, the frequencies must be separated. The light must then be converted into electrical signals, which are stored, routed, and converted back into optical signals. The conversion not only adds significant cost and complexity to the process, but slows down the transmission as well. However, if the light signals could be slowed during the switching process, they would not need to be converted into an electrical signal. 'The ability to slow the light could be a tremendous force for telecoms that is sure to enhance speed and efficiency,' says University of California professor Xiang Zhang."
Am I the only one who thinks that sounds a bit paradoxical?
'The ability to slow the light could be a tremendous force for telecoms that is sure to enhance speed and efficiency'...
Yeah, there's a real big chance that (at least US) telecoms are going to bother for a looong time.
C'mon, if we ever want to overcome the limits of general relativity and make interstellar travel commonplace, we should be trying to invent ways to make light go faster, not slower!
You know, like on Futurama... right?
It should be referred to as velocity challenged.
Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
Is this like Little Bobby Tables?
Or we could remove the unconstitutional packet sniffing equipment on the backbone.
Modding me -1 troll doesn't make me wrong.
I had a vision of a Japanese commuter waiting for a Bullet train, but the train destination was written on the front of the train and the train didn't stop. Not much of an analogy, but a funny image nevertheless.
Now the telco companies will have another way to missell their "faster-than-the-speed-of-light" broadband!
I recommend Microsoft products.
Researchers believe that it may be possible to increase the speed of the Internet by slowing down certain parts of it
Didn't Comcast already try that?
Taxation is legalized theft, no more, no less.