We often talk about quad-core and octa-core processors for mobiles. But most of this computing power is offered in hertz, like megahertz and gigahertz. And very soon, we’ll have computers (mobiles in the foreseeable future) that will pack processors with terahertz capability.
This, according to researchers, will offer faster PC performance than what we get from current set of PCs. Researchers have developed a technology that could enable computers — and all optic communication devices — to run 100 times faster through terahertz microchips, as highlighted in a recent research journal.
This technology could come in handy with the advent of optic communication expected to catch up in the coming years.
Optic communications is nothing but data transmitted via light through fiber optic cable. Under this, features like email, text messages, phone calls, the cloud and data centres, among others can be transmitted at high speeds.
Until now, two major challenges stood in the way of creating the terahertz microchip — overheating and scalability.
However, in a paper published in the journal Laser and Photonics Review, researchers showed proof of a concept for an optic technology that integrates the speed of optic (light) communications with the reliability and manufacturing scalability of electronics.
Using a Metal-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon (MONOS) structure, Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) physicist Dr Uriel Levy and his team have come up with a new integrated circuit that uses flash memory technology. This structure is already used in microchips that’s there in flash drives and discs-on-key.
If successful, this technology will enable standard 8-16 gigahertz computers to run 100 times faster. It will also bring all optic devices closer to the holy grail of communications — the terahertz chip, the study said.
The introduction of terahertz could ease up the challenge for large-sized machines to transmit hordes of data, enabling data centres to function mishap-free.
(With IANS inputs)
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