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From: dat@hpcnof.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.research
Subject: Photonics - replacing eletronics?
Message-ID: <57100003@hpcnof.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 8-Dec-85 17:07:00 EST
Article-I.D.: hpcnof.57100003
Posted: Sun Dec  8 17:07:00 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Dec-85 08:07:39 EST
Organization: 08 Dec 85 15:07:00 MST
Lines: 37


	The most recent issue of "Science News (Nov 30th) has a very
fascinating article about a new technology dubbed 'Photonics', hailed 
as the replacement for current electronics.

	The basic improvement is that while contemporary electronics
rely on the the speed of electrons, and the (unfortunate) resistance
of the paths the electrons travel, this new technology uses photons
(particles of light) as the basic 'unit' of information.   The problem, 
it seems, with electronics is that due to the mass of the electrons and 
the resistance of the paths, we're limited to a bandwidth of about 1 
gigahertz (their figure, not mine).  Researchers claim that "[it] seems 
to be a 'stone wall' limitation."

	Photonics, on the other hand, has not only the advantage of a
zero mass particle (a photon) but also, by using optical fibers, can
have the photons travel essentially arbitrary paths without encountering 
ANY resistance.  Other advantages accrue too - including a complete freedom 
from electrical interference and noise.  The fiber optic cables are also much 
smaller than the similar amount of traditional electrical wires (the article 
states that "a single [electrical] coaxial cable is as thick as a whole array 
of optical fibers").

	The scientist partially responsible for the breakthrough,
James Chang of the Sandia National Laboratories at Albuquerque, New
Mexico, claims to have taken real-time event measurements with a 
functional bandwidth of over THREE gigahertz.  (His comment at the
time was "My God, I made a 3-gigahertz measurement in real time!")

	My question to the net is simply - Does anyone have any further
information on this technological breakthrough?

	The article in SN is quite illuminating (pardon the pun) - I
recomend reading it if you're more interested in this.

					-- Dave Taylor
					Hewlett Packard, CNO