Photonic crystal operation faster than electronics?

[Gerenuk]

I've just read an article about IT with light instead of electrons:
http://focus.aps.org/story/v22/st15

I wonder, is there any indication that light processing will be faster than conventional electronics? Information transport is faster, but what about logic operations?
What would be advantages of computers based on photons?

 

[dlgoff]

What would be advantages of computers based on photons?

Small and fast.
Here's a little Wikipedia article on the subject.

 

[oswaler]

I find this topic very interesting and promising. The concept of using light instead of electrons for information processing has been studied for many years and has shown great potential for faster operation compared to traditional electronics.

One of the main advantages of using photons for computing is their speed. Photons travel at the speed of light, which is significantly faster than the speed of electrons. This means that information can be transmitted and processed at much higher speeds, leading to faster operation overall.

Moreover, photons do not experience resistance or heat like electrons do, which can limit the speed and efficiency of traditional electronics. This makes photonic crystals a more energy-efficient option for computing, as well as potentially allowing for smaller and more compact devices.

In terms of logic operations, photonic crystals have shown promising results. They can be designed to manipulate light in various ways, such as splitting, bending, and reflecting, which can be used for logic operations. Additionally, the use of multiple wavelengths of light can allow for parallel processing, further increasing the speed and efficiency of operations.

However, there are still challenges and limitations in implementing photonic crystals for computing. One major challenge is the integration of photonic components with existing electronic systems. This requires the development of new materials and manufacturing techniques.

In conclusion, while there is still ongoing research and development in this area, there is strong evidence that photonic crystals have the potential to operate faster than traditional electronics. The use of light for computing also has the potential to revolutionize the field and lead to more efficient and powerful computers in the future.