Going completely fiber optic computers

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of developing computers that utilize fiber optic technology instead of traditional electronic components. Participants explore the feasibility, potential benefits, and challenges of optical computing, particularly in relation to signal transmission and the limitations of current technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express curiosity about why fiber optic technology has not been fully integrated into computers, citing the speed of light and the ability to carry multiple signals simultaneously.
  • Others highlight the importance of understanding the role of transistors in computing, suggesting that optical transistors could be a future development but require clarification on their integration.
  • A participant notes that while optical switches are being developed, the current technology is still in its infancy compared to historical electrical computers like the ENIAC.
  • Concerns are raised about the costs and practicality of using fiber optics in computers, with some suggesting that the translation of optical signals to electrical impulses may negate potential speed advantages.
  • There is a distinction made between optical computers and fiber optics, with one participant stating that optical computers would utilize waveguides rather than traditional fiber optic cables.
  • References are made to ongoing research and experiments by companies like Intel regarding the use of lasers in computing, indicating a potential shift in technology in the near future.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that optical computing is a developing field with potential, but there are multiple competing views on the practicality, current state of technology, and the relationship between fiber optics and optical computing. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the feasibility and timeline for such advancements.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention limitations related to the translation of signals and the costs associated with optical technologies, indicating that these factors may influence the development of practical optical computing solutions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring advancements in computing technology, optical engineering, and the future of data transmission methods.

taylaron
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So, because light is so fast and fiber optic cables can carry 3 different signals at at time and travel at the "speed of light"; why don't we have the technology to develop a computer that uses all fiber optics instead of wires or optics and wires (if your lucky)
I'm sure that if we did know how; I probably wouldn't be using this computer at the moment.
however; I do know that the short distances between two points on a computer is relatively small compared to long distance communication (fiber optics)
I'm worried that the production and cost of such as system wouldn't be "worth" the money and slight advance. But would it be??

Isn't the rate of fiber optic signals standard slowed down because it takes time to translate them into electronic signals? compared to their potential rate of communication.
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
There has been research into optical computers, forgive me if I sound critical.

Do you know what a transistor is? A computer is not made of just wires. An optical transistor could one day be related to fiber optic technilogies, but you would have to explain what parts of the computer would become optical in what way.
 
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Many people are working on optical switches which could be used to build an optical computer. At the moment, the technology is at about the equivalent level of the ENIAC was for electrical computers. Wait another five decades, and we'll probably have optical computers.

The reason why optical switching elements are desired, however, has nothing to do with signal propagation velocity. The actual speed of the signal in metal wires on integrated circuits is rarely what limits the overall maximum computational speed. What limits their speed is the need to charge and discharge the unavoidable capacitance connected to each wire. Optical computers won't have such an "optical capacitance."

- Warren
 
The problem is the translation. I have heard of a project that is actually trying to use light as the source of computation, but they have not been successful.

If you were to use fiber-optic cables in a computer, I am pretty sure it would be super expensive and the time it would take to translate the signal into an electrical impulse would be greater than simply sending that signal across a gold stamp on a board or even a regular copper wire.

I think if a computer that computed everything with light (or lasers) with even the display being the end result of that light.. That would be awesome. :)
 
I should mention that our talk of optical computers has little to do with fiber optics. Optical computers would make use of waveguides, of course, but these waveguides would have little in common with ordinary circular-cross-section clad fiber optic cables. Fiber optics doesn't really have anything to do with integrated optical processors.

- Warren
 
Hey, Thanks everybody,
I guess I'm going to have to wait a little while before I see these puppies out on the market. I think it is also a matter of developing new technologies and optical materials with new properties.
Thanks for your help.
 
Let me try to find the link, but Intel has been experimenting with using lasers to replace the bus in the computer. iirc they said by 2015 we should see lasers being used in place of CIS/HTT.

http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20060918corp.htm
 
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Not Quite Fiber-Optic Computing but close...

http://www.cnet.com.au/desktops/storage/0,239029473,240059342,00.htm

Holographic Hard Drives...
 
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