Harnessing the powers of light to operate computers

Light is said to be the source of life, and in the near future it will possibly form the basis of our everyday computing needs. Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have harnessed specific energies of light from a packet of light to create a nanostructures which may help in the development of future all-optical computers.

The unimaginably fast speed of light makes it possible to transmit internet data. Before you can watch your favorite streaming show, you need to convert the signals into electrical impulses in your computer or smart TV. New all-optical computers will be able to perform computations using light. It is difficult to control packets of light energy, and new devices are needed to shape the light pulse in a switchable manner.

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba tested a new metallic waveguide that was 100 nanometers long. Only specific wavelength of light can fit inside the confines of the nanocavity size. This makes the atom act like an artificial atom. Light waves with matching energy are transmitted. The light wave packet can be changed by this.

The team used light waves that travel along the interface of the metal and air, called surface plasmon polaritons. The water waves and air waves flow together.

The dye used for the fabrication of the waveguide changed its properties when the light energy was present. The team used light chirps only 10 femtoseconds and created a movie using time-resolved two-photon fluorescent microscopy. They were able to continue propagating along the metal surface with the help of the spectral component. The results of this project could help streamline the designs of other devices.

More information: Naoki Ichiji et al, Femtosecond imaging of spatial deformation of surface plasmon polariton wave packet during resonant interaction with nanocavity, Nanophotonics (2022). DOI: 10.1515/nanoph-2021-0740 Citation: Harnessing the powers of light to operate computers (2022, April 28) retrieved 28 April 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-04-harnessing-powers.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.