Slashdot Mirror
'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."
Yup! It's similar to traffic congestion problem that someone figures out how to solve every couple months. If everyone's driving fast and there's a slow point, all the cars back up. If everyone, hell - if one person, slows down and leaves room inbetween their cars, that gives the tight spot enough room to accommodate the traffic and the congestion dies.
It's a rather simplistic model compared to internet switches, but it sort of works. If you don't overload the switches, you'll have less network congestion. Less Network Congestion=Faster Communication
Give a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day. But light a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.