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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."
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?
I know that person that slows down to give place in heavy 3-lanes traffic at rush hour ... he's an asshole!
Or we could remove the unconstitutional packet sniffing equipment on the backbone.
Modding me -1 troll doesn't make me wrong.
Yeah, and I know who you are...you're the nut who drives so close behind me that you might as well be in my back seat.