IBM develops superfast optical computer chip

Talking Points Memo : IBM has developed an optical microchip that can transmit data at an incredibly fast rate. The Holey Optochip, which is a standard silicon CMOS chip with 48 strategically placed holes for channeling light, can transmit 1 terabit of information per second. “That’s fast enough to allow someone to download 500 HD movies in one second, or the entire contents of the Library of Congress in an hour,” writes Carl Franzen for Talking Points Memo. According to IBM’s press release , “The holes allow optical access through the back of the chip to 24 receiver and 24 transmitter channels to produce an ultra-compact, high-performing and power-efficient optical module capable of record setting data transfer rates.” Not for the consumer market, the chips are designed primarily for supercomputing systems. Although IBM just debuted the chip at a conference in Los Angeles, its research team is already working to double the chip’s speed and efficiency.