A new glass material that lets computers transfer data much faster using light has been discovered by researchers from the University of Surrey in the U.K, in partnership with the University of Cambridge and the University of Southampton.

They claim the new glass material has the ability to significantly boost computer processing speed.

Like Us on Facebook

Researchers said amorphous "chalcogenides," a glass material used in compact discs (CDs) and DVD technology, can be manipulated to develop a new material.

This new material is developed by using a technique researchers call "ion doping". It uses light to integrate all computing functions and also transfers information.

"The challenge is to find a single material that can effectively use and control light to carry information around a computer." said Richard Curry, project leader at the university.

"Much like how the web uses light to deliver information, we want to use light to both deliver and process computer data,"

Current computer technology normally transmits and processes data using electrons. Engineers are currently turning to fiber optics technology to increase data transmission over long distances.

The problem with fiber optics is that data must be converted at the receiving end.

"This has eluded researchers for decades, but now we have now shown how a widely used glass can be manipulated to conduct negative electrons, as well as positive charges, creating what are known as 'pn-junction' devices." Curry added.

"This should enable the material to act as a light source, a light guide and a light detector -- something that can carry and interpret optical information."

Curry said the new technology could transform the computers of tomorrow, enabling them to effectively process information at much faster speeds.

TagsComputer Processing Speed, fiber optics, Light, CD, DVD, Data Transmission, Glass, amorphous chalcogenides