Scientists Develop World’s Fastest Light Transistor Based on Graphene Opening New Possibilities in Computing
A team of scientists from the University of Arizona, working with international colleagues, has successfully created a light transistor based on graphene that operates at frequencies a million times higher than current chips. The groundbreaking device utilizes light impulses lasting a few Attoseconds, allowing for ultra-fast calculations.
Through experiments, researchers demonstrated that short lasers can instantly control electrons in graphene, resulting in signals in the petahertz range. This achievement opens the door to ultrarapid computations in the future.
The key to the success of this new device lies in the quantum effect of tunneling, where electrons can pass through energy barriers without delay when influenced by light. By adding a special layer of silicon and using a precisely synchronized laser, the team was able to alter the behavior of graphene and observe the real-time movement of electrons through the barrier.
Using a commercial phototransistor modified with silicon, the team was able to switch the device at record speed with light pulses lasting 638 Attoseconds. This makes the new light transistor the fastest one ever created, operating based on light rather than current.
Dr. Mohammed Hassan, associate professor of the Department of Physics and Optical Sciences, expressed excitement about the unexpected outcomes of the study. He emphasized that these surprises make scientific research particularly engaging and rewarding.
The transistor prototype functions at room temperature, making it feasible for integration into commercial systems. The team is collaborating with Tech Launch Arizona to pursue patenting and commercialization of the technology. Dr. Hassan hopes to partner with industry to implement this groundbreaking technology in real microchips, aiming for petahertz speeds.
According to Dr. Hassan, despite the rapid advancements in software technologies like AI, hardware progress lags behind. The development of this new light transistor could help bridge this gap and accelerate overall technological development.
The research findings have been published in Nature Communications, outlining the potential of this innovation in revolutionizing computing techniques.