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Title: Researchers Build 'The World's Fastest Petahertz Quantum Transistor'.
They Predict Lightwave Electronics

Link: https://science.slashdot.org/story/25/05/24/0...

"What if ultrafast pulses of light could operate computers at speeds a
million times faster than today's best processors?" asks the University of
Arizona. "A team of scientists, including researchers from the University of
Arizona, are working to make that possible." In a groundbreaking
international effort, researchers from the Department of Physics in the
College of Science and the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences
demonstrated a way to manipulate electrons in graphene using pulses of light
that last less than a trillionth of a second. By leveraging a quantum effect
known as tunneling, they recorded electrons bypassing a physical barrier
almost instantaneously, a feat that redefines the potential limits of
computer processing power. A study published in Nature Communications
highlights how the technique could lead to processing speeds in the petahertz
range - over 1,000 times faster than modern computer chips. Sending data at
those speeds would revolutionize computing as we know it, said Mohammed
Hassan, an associate professor of physics and optical sciences. Hassan has
long pursued light-based computer technology and previously led efforts to
develop the world's fastest electron microscope... [T]he researchers used a
laser that switches off and on at a rate of 638 attoseconds to create what
Hassan called "the world's fastest petahertz quantum transistor... For
reference, a single attosecond is one-quintillionth of a second," Hassan
said. "That means that this achievement represents a big leap forward in the
development of ultrafast computer technologies by realizing a petahertz-speed
transistor." While some scientific advancements occur under strict
conditions, including temperature and pressure, this new transistor performed
in ambient conditions - opening the way to commercialization and use in
everyday electronics. Hassan is working with Tech Launch Arizona, the office
that works with investigators to commercialize inventions stemming from U of
A research in order to patent and market innovations. While the original
invention used a specialized laser, the researchers are furthering
development of a transistor compatible with commercially available equipment.
"I hope we can collaborate with industry partners to realize this petahertz-
speed transistor on a microchip," Hassan said. Thanks to long-time Slashdot
reader goslackware for sharing the news.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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