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'Slow' Light To Speed Up the Net

Posted by samzenpus on from the haste-makes-waste dept.

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."

4 of 107 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Hmmm by DirtySouthAfrican · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I think the point is that the light pulses are slowed down enough that they can be manipulated by optical switches. By eliminating two conversion processes, the time between when the pulse arrives at the switch/router/booster and when it leaves is still shorter than with the electronic system. As far as I understand, it isn't related to reducing congestion by "slowing down" packets.

  2. Re:Hmmm by thelamecamel · · Score: 3, Insightful

    And I should point out that the pulses need to be delayed/buffered as part of the switching process (to avoid packet collisions) - an optical buffer using slow light will be one component in an optical switch.

  3. Re:Hmmm by CastrTroy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I think it was George Carlin who said

    Did you ever notice that everybody who drives slower than you is an idiot. And that everybody who drives faster than you is a maniac?

    --

    Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
  4. I thought, speed of light is constant by hardsky · · Score: 1, Insightful

    "However, if the light signals could be slowed during the switching process, they would not need to be converted into an electrical signal."
    It's seems, like they want remove "conversion into an electrical signal" (slow part).
    P.S.
    I thought, speed of light is constant :)