Optical computer will appear in the next 3 years

Intel researchers have introduced a silicon modulator that can transmit data up to 40 Gbps - a sign that fiber-optic computers are becoming a reality.

Modulators are responsible for breaking the laser into light spots that the computer understands as 0 and 1. The PC now transmits signals through electrons moving in metal fibers. However, metal wires often cause computer temperatures to rise.

Silicon modulator 40 Gb / sec.Photo: Intel .

In contrast, fiber optics transmit data with photons of light, faster than electrons without radiating heat. But the cost of producing optical parts is often expensive and requires high meticulousness.

Intel, Primarion, IBM and others have studied many ways to produce optical modulators according to standard silicon chains. Intel was the first company to release 1 GHz silicon modulator in 2004 and achieve a data transfer rate of 10 Gb / sec a year later. The latest version works 4 times faster.

Intel believes that optical components can be integrated into computers by the end of the decade. Initially, it was equipped as independent parts, which would gradually be included in computer chips, MP3 music players and high-speed cameras.