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World's Smallest Optical Switch Uses a Single Atom (gizmag.com)

Posted by timothy on from the that's-not-how-the-rules-work dept.

Zothecula writes: The rapid and on-going development of micro-miniature optical electronic devices is helping to usher in a new era of photonic computers and light-based memories that promise super-fast processor speeds and ultra-secure communications. However, as these components are shrunk ever further, fundamental limits to their dimensions are dictated by the wavelength of light itself. Now researchers at ETH Zurich claim to have overcome this limitation by creating both the world's smallest optical switch using a single atom, and accompanying circuitry that appears to break the rules by being smaller than the wavelength of the light that passes through it.

3 of 38 comments (clear)

  1. Not that impressive by Ecuador · · Score: 3, Funny

    Not that impressive, other optical switches don't require a CPU at all, never mind an Atom!

    (Yeah, I know, Title Case. Still doesn't help me parse correctly sometimes)

    --
    Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Polar Scope Align for iOS
  2. welcome back, bro by BigDukeSix · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Offtopic, perhaps, but I'm looking at the front page of Slashdot. For the first time in years, no fucking political/sociological/pseudo-tech clickbait bullshit. Finally.

    If this is the new boss, I'm all for it. I care a lot about politics, privacy, and economics. I come to Slashdot for other stuff.

    Thanks.

  3. Re:Moore's law by Bob_Who · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sub-atomic is the future of getting small. Ironically, its the next big thing.