Stanford Seminar - Saving Energy and Increasing Density in Information Processing Using Photonics

Explore the potential of photonics in revolutionizing information processing and communication in this Stanford seminar. Delve into the challenges of electrical interconnects, including density limitations and energy consumption. Examine the historical context of information transmission, from the first transatlantic cable to modern chip performance projections. Analyze the energies required for various communication and computation processes across different length scales. Investigate innovative solutions such as quantum impedance conversion, nanoantenna designs, and free-space beam arrays. Gain insights into the future of large synchronous systems and the role of photonics in addressing current technological limitations.

Syllabus

Introduction.
Summary.
Growth in information communication and processing.
The first transatlantic cable (1865).
What's wrong with wires?.
Density problem in electrical interconnects.
Wiring density.
ITRS Projected Chip Performance - Bytes/FLOP.
Energies for communications and computations.
Data rates at different length scales.
Interconnect power.
Logic and wiring capacitance.
Quantum impedance conversion.
Capacitance of small structures for f operation.
Mask and layout for nanoantenna.
Eliminating receiver energy.
Large synchronous systems?.
Free-space arrays of beams.
Conclusions.