MIT develops first germanium laser for efficient optical computing

Computing is steadily moving towards an era when computer chips will be made to transfer data using light instead of electricity, and the entire concept may just have been pushed towards reality by the MIT’s latest invention. MIT has developed the first laser built from germanium that would produce wavelengths of light optimal for optical communication.

germanium laser

The major benefit of this development is that the germanium laser can be easily incorporate into existing processes for manufacturing silicon chips and is able to operate in room temperatures. With the growing needs of data and the needs of higher bandwidth connection, the copper connected chips may be losing out, thus, this new demonstrated laser technology could definitely make a legible and cheaper contender for next-generation of chips.

Via: MIT