Scientists in the United States have found a more effective way to transmit data rapidly on electronic circuit boards by bending light at more extreme angles.

It's a groundbreaking technology that will lead to the next generation of ultra-fast supercomputers.

The device that makes this possible resembles a tiny plastic honeycomb infinitely smaller than a bee's stinger. It can steer light beams around tighter curves than ever before while keeping the integrity and intensity of the beam intact.

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The success was achieved by researchers at the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) and at the University of Central Florida (UCF),

The study reporting this breakthrough noted that sending information on light beams instead of electrical signals allows data to be transmitted thousands of times faster. There's a significant drawback to using light, however, and that's controlling the light beams without losing their energy.

"Computer chips and circuit boards have metal wire connections within them that transport data signals," said Raymond Rumpf, professor of electrical and computer engineering at UTEP.

"One of challenges when using light is figuring out a way to make tight bends so we can replace the metal wiring more effectively."

Stephen Kuebler, an associate professor of chemistry at UCF, said direct laser writing has the potential to become a flexible means for manufacturing next-generation computer devices.

Kuebler and his students used direct laser writing, which is a kind of nanoscale 3D printing, to create the miniature lattices. The team then ran light beams through the lattices and confirmed they could flow light without loss through turns twice as tight as any done previously.

The finding is significant because with the demand for ever-smaller and faster computers and hand-held devices, engineers need ways to pack ultra-fast data-transmission devices into smaller spaces.

Microchip and computer manufacturers are looking to light as the best way to overcome speed limitations imposed by today's electronics. 

Conventional light waveguides like optical fibers can be used to steer light through turns but the turns must be gradual. If the turn is too quick, the light beams escape and energy is lost.

To make ultra-sharp turns, the team designed the plastic devices so its lattice steers the beam around corners without losing energy.

The UTEP-UCF team's technology creates a new record in the field of optics for its ability to bend light beams. 

Kuebler said the team is now working to double that record, creating a lattice that will turn the light through an even tighter turn.

Rumpf envisions this groundbreaking technology will first appear in high-performance super computers before it can be found in people's everyday laptops.