Femtosecond Optoelectronic Circuits

[sanman]

I came across this interesting research development:

http://www.aip.org/pnu/2007/split/836-1.html

I'm wondering if this could become the basis for a faster generation of microchips that perform electronic information processing operations at laser-driven femtosecond speeds?

 

[chroot]

Yes, optics are going to start replacing electronic signal pathways in the near future; semiconductor manufacturers are already hard at work productizing processes which include optical layers. The technology will be applied to two of the most difficult problems that currently face integrated circuit designers: clock distribution and cross-chip communication.

- Warren

 

[dlgoff]

Depending on the exact frequencies used, the time duration of the pulse, and the relative phase relation between the two components of light, the induced pulse of electric flow could consist of as little as a single electron or many.

It sounds like "electron-surfing" to me.