Future computers could use light instead of wires to transmit data

Researchers have designed and built a prism-like device that can split a beam of light into different colours and bend the light at right angles. Stanford engineers have inched closer to developing faster and more efficient computers that use light instead of wires to carry data. When a beam of light is shined at the link, two different wavelengths of light split off at right angles to the input, forming a T-shape. “Light can carry more data than a wire, and it takes less energy to transmit photons than electrons,” said research leader Jelena Vuckovic.