Scientist get closer to solving the 'speed limit' for <span style='color:red'>electronic devices</span>
Applications

Scientist get closer to solving the 'speed limit' for electronic devices

　　Scientists at Heriot-Watt University have reported they are one step closer to developing a technology that could result in electrons being replaced with photons, solving the looming ‘speed limit’ for electronic gadgets.　　According to Dr Marcello Ferrera, an assistant professor in Photonics and Optics at Heriot-Watt, the long-term success of electronics has been associated with how much smaller devices have become, and how robust they are, even when made from a very limited number of fundamental materials.　　These two features have traditionally been weaknesses in the field of photonics, but according to Dr Ferrera’s recent findings, published in Nature Communications, that could be about to change.　　For the first time Dr Ferrera and his team have shown how aluminium zinc oxide (AZO) reacts to light when simultaneously shined with ultra-fast laser pulses of different colours. Since AZO is a compound used in touch-screen technology, the discovery could have an impact on the fabrication of novel photonic components.　　The nanophotonics experts used one laser beam to explore the optical properties of thin films of AZO, while two different trains of ultra-fast light, pulsed at two distinct frequencies, or ‘colours’, were shone on the material.　　The experiments were conducted first by using one colour at a time, and afterwards with the combined use of the two laser sources.　　As a result of the recorded effects, which last for a 10,000th of a billionth of a second, Dr Ferrera found that, "We can drastically and reversibly alter the optical properties of the material by using laser light with different colours.　　“Each colour can induce strong and ultra-fast alteration on both the transparency of the material and the speed at which light propagates into it.”　　Dr Ferrera also discovered that the induced alterations, which are typically opposite in sign, can be algebraically summed up one to another. If the material becomes more transparent with one colour and more absorptive with the other, it will not show any appreciable alteration when the optical stimuli occur simultaneously. This could have a profound impact on the design and fabrication of optical computing and telecommunication devices.　　“The reason we used AZO is that, although it has been used in electronic devices for years, we have little knowledge about how it could be used in photonics.　　“Electronics have almost reached their capacity and potential; our findings represent a remarkable step towards the full miniaturisation of photonic components: this possibility was just ‘science fiction’ few years ago. ”
Key word：
Release time：2017-10-10 00:00 reading：2482 Continue reading>>

Turn to

/ 1

Popular categories
Semiconductors Circuit Protection Electromechanical Embedded Solutions Connectors, Interconnects Sensors, Transducers Optoelectronics Development Kits Test and Measurement Power Fans, Thermal Management Boxes, Enclosures, Racks Cables, Wires Passive Components Others
  • Week of hot material
  • Material in short supply seckilling
model brand Quote
RB751G-40T2R ROHM Semiconductor
MC33074DR2G onsemi
TL431ACLPR Texas Instruments
CDZVT2R20B ROHM Semiconductor
BD71847AMWV-E2 ROHM Semiconductor
model brand To snap up
BP3621 ROHM Semiconductor
STM32F429IGT6 STMicroelectronics
ESR03EZPJ151 ROHM Semiconductor
TPS63050YFFR Texas Instruments
IPZ40N04S5L4R8ATMA1 Infineon Technologies
BU33JA2MNVX-CTL ROHM Semiconductor
Hot labels
ROHM
IC
Averlogic
Intel
Samsung
IoT
AI
Sensor
Chip
Original authorized brand
More Licensed Brands>>
Information leaderboard
  • Week of ranking
  • Month ranking

About us

Qr code of ameya360 official account

Identify TWO-DIMENSIONAL code, you can pay attention to

AMEYA360 mall (www.ameya360.com) was launched in 2011. Now there are more than 3,500 high-quality suppliers, including 6 million product model data, and more than 1 million component stocks for purchase. Products cover MCU+ memory + power chip +IGBT+MOS tube + op amp + RF Bluetooth + sensor + resistor capacitance inductor + connector and other fields. main business of platform covers spot sales of electronic components, BOM distribution and product supporting materials, providing one-stop purchasing and sales services for our customers.

Please enter the verification code in the image below：

verification code