IBM Project Proposes Using Light to Make Chips Faster

IBM has developed an optical technology that could speed up data transmissions among servers, between chips within a system, or on the chips themselves. The company´s SNIPER (silicon nanoscale integrated photonic and electronic transceiver) project uses CMOS integrated nanophotonic technology. This approach employs pulses of light, rather than copper connec tions, to move data at higher speeds. IBM´s approach uses wavelength division multiplexing, which is faster because numerous data streams can be carried on multiple wavelengths simultaneously within a single fiber. IBM integrates the photonics and the CMOS electronics circuitry on the same chip during the manufacturing process. This approach is less expensive, yields more chips, and avoids damaging parts during assembly.