London, March 12 (IANS) Using optical fibres made of speciality glass, the researchers from the University of Southampton in Britain have shown that computers that function like the human brain could soon become a reality.
The findings have the potential to allow faster and smarter optical computers capable of learning and evolving.
Since the dawn of the computer age, scientists have sought ways to mimic the behaviour of the human brain, replacing neurons and our nervous system with electronic switches and memory.
"Now instead of electrons, light and optical fibres also show promise in achieving a brain-like computer. The cognitive functionality of central neurons underlies the adaptable nature and information processing capability of our brains," explained study co-author professor Dan Hewak from the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) at University of Southampton.
The team including scientists from Singapore-based Nanyang Technological University (NTU) demonstrated how neural networks and synapses in the brain can be reproduced with optical pulses as information carriers.
They used special fibres made from glasses that are sensitive to light, known as chalcogenides.
Using conventional fibre drawing techniques, microfibres can be produced from chalcogenide (glasses based on sulphur) that possess a variety of broadband photoinduced effects, which allow the fibres to be switched on and off.
"This optical switching or light switching light, can be exploited for a variety of next generation computing applications capable of processing vast amounts of data in a much more energy-efficient manner," Hewak informed.
"By going back to biological systems such as chalcogenide fibres, we can start to improve the speed and efficiency of conventional computing architectures, while introducing adaptability and learning into the next generation of devices," added another study co-author Dr Behrad Gholipour.
The research paves the way for scalable brain-like computing systems that enable "photonic neurons" with ultrafast signal transmission speeds, higher bandwidth and lower power consumption than their biological and electronic counterparts.
The research was published in the journal Advanced Optical Materials.
The Indian Army is training its soldiers in unarmed combat and mixed martial arts techniques so t
Brazil has been suffering from the Coronavirus for the last year. After a year, the condition rem
22.7 percent border with Bangladesh unfenced: Rijiju
New Delhi, March 11 (IANS) About 6.3 percent of India-Pakistan border and 22.7 percent of India
Russia-Ukraine War: India said – urban areas are becoming easy targets in Russia-Ukraine war
The Russo-Ukraine War has entered its 126th day. Meanwhile, victims of an attack on a shopping ma
It is extremely cold in many parts of North India. According to the India Meteorological Departme
Today is the eighth day of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine will once again
The Election Commission of India made a big announcement on Thursday. The Election Commission has
Air pollution in the country's capital Delhi has reached dangerous levels. The fog along with pol
The financial results of the country's largest oil company Indian Oil, which came on Tuesday, sho
After the horrific bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat, the Gujarat High Court ordered the Bhupendr
