News Release

Optical computer made from frozen light

Scientists learn to process information with 'frozen light'

Peer-Reviewed Publication

IOP Publishing

Scientists at Harvard University have shown how ultra-cold atoms can be used to freeze and control light to form the "core" – or central processing unit – of an optical computer. Optical computers would transport information ten times faster than traditional electronic devices, smashing the intrinsic speed limit of silicon technology.

This new research could be a major breakthrough in the quest to create super-fast computers that use light instead of electrons to process information. Professor Lene Hau is one of the world's foremost authorities on "slow light". Her research group became famous for slowing down light, which normally travels at 186,000 miles per second, to less than the speed of a bicycle. Using the same apparatus, which contains a cloud of ultra-cold sodium atoms, they have even managed to freeze light altogether. Professor Hau says this could have applications in memory storage for a future generation of optical computers.

But Professor Hau's most recent research addresses the issue of optical computers head-on. She has calculated that ultra-cold atoms known as Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) can be used to perform "controlled coherent processing" with light. In ordinary matter, the amplitude and phase of a light pulse would be smeared out, and any information content would be destroyed. Hau's work on slow light, however, has proved experimentally that these attributes can be preserved in a BEC. Such a device might one day become the CPU of an optical computer.

Traditional electronic computers are advancing ever closer to their theoretical limits for size and speed. Some scientists believe that optical computing will one day unleash a new revolution in smaller and faster computers.

Professor Lene Hau is Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Physics & Professor of Physics at Harvard University.

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Contact Details: Professor Lene Hau, Tel: 1-617-496-5967, Email: hau@physics.harvard.edu

Website: http://www.deas.harvard.edu/haulab/

Professor Hau is available for interviews: Contact David Reid, Institute of Physics, 44-207-470-4815 to arrange an interview.

Notes to editors:

Delivery: This presentation will be delivered at 5pm on Tuesday 12th April 2005.

Physics 2005 takes place at the University of Warwick from 10th – 14th April 2005. It is the main academic conference for the UK physics community during Einstein Year and the largest gathering of physicists in the UK. At the meeting scientists will present exciting new research from emerging fields in physics.

For more information see: http://www.physics2005.iop.org

Contacts:

Institute of Physics Press Office
Tel: 44-207-470-4815

Physics 2005 Newsroom
Tel: 247-657-2982 or 247-657-2983
E-mail: physics2005newsroom@iop.org
The Newsroom will be staffed from Sunday 10th 2pm – 5pm and daily from 8.30am until Thursday 14th April.

Physics 2005 Newsroom Team David Reid, Mobile: 794-632-1473, E-mail: david.reid@iop.org
Alex Seeley, Mobile: 796-732-6646, E-mail: physics2005newsroom@iop.org

Einstein Year is a year-long celebration of physics and its relevance to all our lives. Marking the centenary of Einstein's three ground-breaking ideas it communicates the vital role physics plays in developing new technologies such as cancer screening equipment and mobile phones, whilst addressing big questions like how the Universe was created and how climate change can be addressed. Einstein Year will inspire and inform the next generation of physicists as well as those who are just curious about the world around them. Einstein Year is the UK and Ireland's contribution to International Year of Physics, a UN-sponsored project to promote physics in 2005.

Einstein Year is a year-long celebration of physics and its relevance to all our lives. Marking the centenary of Einstein's three ground-breaking ideas it communicates the vital role physics plays in developing new technologies such as cancer screening equipment and mobile phones, whilst addressing big questions like how the Universe was created and how climate change can be addressed. Einstein Year will inspire and inform the next generation of physicists as well as those who are just curious about the world around them. Einstein Year is the UK and Ireland's contribution to International Year of Physics, a UN-sponsored project to promote physics in 2005.

The Institute of Physics is a leading international professional body and learned society with over 37,000 members, which promotes the advancement and dissemination of a knowledge of and education in the science of physics, pure and applied. It has a world-wide membership and is a major international player in:

  • scientific publishing and electronic dissemination of physics;
  • setting professional standards for physicists and awarding professional qualifications;
  • promoting physics through scientific conferences, education and science policy advice.

The Institute is a member of the Science Council, and a nominated body of the Engineering Council. The Institute works in collaboration with national physical societies and plays an important role in transnational societies such as the European Physical Society and represents British and Irish physicists in international organisations. In Great Britain and Ireland the Institute is active in providing support for physicists in all professions and careers, encouraging physics research and its applications, providing support for physics in schools, colleges and universities, influencing government and informing public debate.

Einstein Year is here - be inspired by physics in 2005. www.einsteinyear.org


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