More and more performance is required – but how far can conventional computer technologies be exhausted? Which alternative methods are emerging? In the April issue, bild der wissenschaft examines the extent to which tried-and-tested processor technology can still provide more computing power and what potential lies in the use of optical processes and spin waves for computer technology.
“Smart” devices of all kinds, big data, artificial intelligence…: Digital technology has changed our world enormously, it is growing and always blossoming. The “fertilizer” was and is a steady increase in computing power. To this end, microelectronics have been continuously shrunk and optimized – the transistor systems that enable processor and data storage functions on the basis of electrical charges. But what about the future potential of this proven – or perhaps outdated technology?
The first article of the three-part title story is dedicated to this topic. In it, the bdw author Michael Vogel first takes a look at the development history of increasing performance in digital microelectronics, which now goes back 50 years. He shows what challenges transistor systems and the use of electrical charges entail and when the potential could be exhausted. It seems clear: There are physical limits to the performance-enhancing shrinking of this technique. However, the article “Those who are declared dead live longer” shows that there is still potential for development through finer production methods and sophisticated technical tricks. Experts say the end of the road could then be reached in about 10 to 15 years.
Spin-wave computing and “digital enlightenments”
And then what? Bdw author Finn Brockerhoff reports that there could possibly be circuits in the computers of the future that calculate with spin waves instead of electrons. In the process, the intrinsic angular momentum (spin) of electrons is used to transmit information in the form of so-called spin waves. Brockerhoff explains the principle, what advantages this visionary approach offers and what the chances of implementation are. The potential of the technology lies primarily in its high energy efficiency. Apparently, scientists are already developing new logic components based on spin-wave computing, according to the article “The Spin Makes Waves”.
The bdw author Thomas Brandstetter then focuses on another promising computer technology that scientists are currently working on: Perhaps light particles will one day replace electrons as the basis for mechanical computing. As the article shows, the great advantage of the optical process is its parallelism: different light frequencies can be used simultaneously for information transmission. Optical chips could thus enable completely new types of computing machines. However, the developers apparently still have to contend with significant challenges. One problem is the conversion of optical signals into electrical signals. The author examines the extent to which the concept could soon find its way into computer technology.
You will find the cover story “Computers of the future” in the April issue of bild der wissenschaft, which will be available in stores from March 15th.