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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Kosh on February 09, 2009, 11:23:44 pm

Title: Computer: Activate the photonic cannon
Post by: Kosh on February 09, 2009, 11:23:44 pm
Ok, not quite, but we are much closer to  photonic switching (http://www.physorg.com/news153406819.html). Question to physics people, what would photonic switching do?
Title: Re: Computer: Activate the photonic cannon
Post by: Mefustae on February 10, 2009, 01:14:20 am
Emergency Command Hologram ftw!
Title: Re: Computer: Activate the photonic cannon
Post by: Nuke on February 10, 2009, 03:07:58 am
Emergency Prostitute hologram would be better.
Title: Re: Computer: Activate the photonic cannon
Post by: redsniper on February 10, 2009, 10:27:50 am
what would photonic switching do?
It would cure whatever ails you, make all the children say 'Congratulations,' cause toast to land butter-side-up, and create FS3.
Title: Re: Computer: Activate the photonic cannon
Post by: Jeff Vader on February 10, 2009, 10:30:37 am
what would photonic switching do?
It would cure whatever ails you, make all the children say 'Congratulations,' cause toast to land butter-side-up, and create FS3.
Would it also divide by zero and make the public transportations run on time?
Title: Re: Computer: Activate the photonic cannon
Post by: The E on February 10, 2009, 10:33:19 am
...and extend our ability to follow Moore's Law for a few years. If i read this right, photonic switching is basically a way of using photons in place of electrons in electronics.

EDIT: So, the singularity has just become that much more propable.
Title: Re: Computer: Activate the photonic cannon
Post by: Mika on February 10, 2009, 02:32:30 pm
Horrido! Non-linear optics!

I recall that optical computer has been done, but this kind of switch would make it go to a smaller size and could possibly replace a transistor. However, since this is coming from mainland China, I don't have my hopes very high at the moment. The next question is the price of the manufacturing process and the product. It is possible, of course, that the price of these items will drop down if this is seen as a functional way of doing something.

Tried to look at the original reference but I would need to register. Instead, I checked what google scholar knows about the researcher names in the group, and I noticed that there are similar kind of publications coming from the same people starting from at least 2003. So whatever it is, it is most likely basic research and quite far from becoming production model. Unfortunately the original link makes this sound like a thing that would solve all the problems in life, but actually it is not.

Mika
Title: Re: Computer: Activate the photonic cannon
Post by: Kosh on February 10, 2009, 10:21:36 pm
Quote
However, since this is coming from mainland China, I don't have my hopes very high at the moment.


What is that supposed to mean?

Quote
The next question is the price of the manufacturing process and the product. It is possible, of course, that the price of these items will drop down if this is seen as a functional way of doing something.

Yeah, so more research needs to be done in that regard. Not impossible by any means.
Title: Re: Computer: Activate the photonic cannon
Post by: Mika on February 11, 2009, 02:30:14 pm
Quote
Quote
However, since this is coming from mainland China, I don't have my hopes very high at the moment.


What is that supposed to mean?

At the moment the quality of researchers in Chinese universities or laboratories (excluding Hong Kong) is not very good. This has much to do with Chinese culture itself, but I expect things to change in about 20 years. PM me if you want me to explain this further. Though you are also in China and as a foreigner you must have seen this.

Mika
Title: Re: Computer: Activate the photonic cannon
Post by: Kosh on February 11, 2009, 08:00:19 pm
Yes, please continue.
Title: Re: Computer: Activate the photonic cannon
Post by: StarSlayer on February 11, 2009, 08:18:20 pm
For some silly reason I read the title as "phonetic cannon" and entered the thread expecting some sort of teaching device/death ray.


Suitably abashed at my misstep I withdraw.
Title: Re: Computer: Activate the photonic cannon
Post by: iamzack on February 13, 2009, 06:25:24 am
what would photonic switching do?
It would cure whatever ails you, make all the children say 'Congratulations,' cause toast to land butter-side-up, and create FS3.
Would it also divide by zero and make the public transportations run on time?
Will it make the rainforests grow back and feed all the little African AIDSbabies?