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"I heard Marvin Minsky describe computing at RLE and I wanted to get in on the action. It was a rare opportunity to get my hands on a whole computer. On-line computing was the high point of my MIT experience."

—Ivan E. Sutherland
RLE alumnus

Optoelectronic microprocessors built using existing chip manufacturing

posted December 23, 2015 at 3:50 pm

Researchers have produced a working optoelectronic chip that computes electronically but uses light to move information. The chip has 850 optical components and 70 million transistors, which, while significantly less than the billion-odd transistors of a typical microprocessor, is enough to demonstrate all the functionality that a commercial optical chip would require. Image: Glenn J. Asakawa

High-performance prototype means chipmakers could now start building optoelectronic chips. « more »

Related Links:

Optoelectronic microprocessors built using existing chip manufacturing (MIT News)

Single-chip microprocessor with integrated photonic inputs and outputs (Nature)

Professor Rajeev Ram

RLE Physical Optics and Electronics Group