Researchers in Japan have made a tiny silicon device. It changes electrical signals into light signals to send data. It can send 200 billion bits each second. A bit is a very small piece of information. AI data centres need to move large amounts of data between computer chips. Faster connections must also keep energy use low.
The device has a pattern of tiny holes. These holes slow the light as it travels through the silicon. The slower light responds more strongly to small electrical changes. This helps the device work well in a small space. But slow-light devices have trouble with signals that change quickly. The team added a part that adjusts the light signal. This helps the device work at higher speeds.
The design could make room for more light-based connections and help limit energy use. However, the light becomes much weaker as it passes through the device. The team used extra equipment to make it stronger during tests. The researchers also plan to let the device use more different wavelengths of light. This could allow several streams of data to travel together.
