Ｗａｙｎｅ：This is my life in technicolor！

《 轉載來源：癮科技 》

網路頻寬永遠不嫌多，Intel 近日發表了一項新的研究成果，以矽為基礎的 Avalanche Photodetector (雪崩式光偵測器? 有沒有正式譯名啊?)。這項簡稱 APD 的技術，測試相當成功，某種稱為「增益頻寬」(連主站都不確定這是啥)的東西，讓 APD 成功達到 340GHz 的速度，Intel 宣稱這是有史以來最好的結果。這項技術預期可以降低 40Gbit/s 或更高速的光學連結成本，應用範圍甚至包括量子密碼、生物晶片等方面。但是對科科們最重要的，就是希望未來的網路頻寬可以放大到難以想像的境界。

看完原文，腦細胞都快死光了。

[Via VNU Net]

[原文連結]

《 原文來源：Intel 》

Avalanche Photodetector

As announced in Nature Photonics, Intel has collaborated with industry, academic, and government partners to develop a silicon-based avalanche photodetector (APD). APDs are light sensors that process optical communications to electrical signals. Intel's APD has a gain-bandwidth product of 340GHz, the best result ever reported for an APD.

Learn more about Intel's APD breakthrough by reading the Nature journal article, viewing an explanatory animation, or reading the APD press release.

The Next Silicon Photonics Breakthrough 

Intel's avalanche photodetector breakthrough represents the first time that a silicon photonic device beats an equivalent made from traditional optical materials. Avalanche photodetectors are optical devices that sense light and amplify signals. Intel's silicon-based avalanche photodetector has the highest gain-bandwidth product ever seen (340 GHz). The gain-bandwidth product is a standard measure for APD performance that multiplies the device's amplification capability (gain) by the fastest speed signal that can be detected (bandwidth). This means that Intel's new APD device has the capability to detect signals at higher speeds and lower power levels than commercial APDs today. This breakthrough creates the possibility of using APDs for 40 Gbps optical communication links. 

Implications of the Breakthrough 

The avalanche photodector breakthrough further validates Intel's vision for Silicon Photonics, which is to revolutionize computing platforms by manufacturing optical communications devices using traditional CMOS manufacturing techniques. There are numerous potential applications for silicon-based avalanche photodectors, including support for multiple high-definition video feeds, higher performance for PCs and servers, and near-perfect security for data transmissions.

Justin Rattner, Intel Chief Technology Officer, is excited about the breakthrough: "These fundamental scientific advances made by our silicon photonics team give me confidence that for decades to come, we will have the communications and I/O bandwidths to match the continued increases in computing performance provided by Moore’s law."  

A Collaborative Effort

This work is funded jointly by Intel and DARPA. Intel leads the design efforts and also draws upon expertise from professor Joe Campbell at the University of Virginia and professor John Bowers at UCSB. Professor Campbell is regarded as the world expert on APD technology. John Bowers is a renowned expert in the Indium Phosphide technology used to create APDs today. Numonyx, a leading maker of NOR, NAND, RAM and phase change non-volatile memory technologies, provided manufacturing and process expertise.