Computer memories add third dimension; advance promises storage that is denser, faster; applications years away

Article Abstract:

Researchers using lasers and holography are making progress in developing computer storage devices that will be able to store thousands of times more information. Data is stored optically in three dimensions, being written and read by laser beams. These devices will be more reliable than current technology because lasers can be directed precisely through lenses. Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corp is the closest to marketing the new technology, which is still several years from being used in even esoteric applications because of the difficulty and expense in making the devices. Microelectronics' device uses a strontium barium niobate medium and can store 6,500 bits of data on a holographic 'page.' The prototype is expected to be the size of a normal desktop disk drive, but the storage material will be about half a centimeter thick and three centimeters in diameter.

Data storage media, Consortia, Optical storage devices, Optical Memory, Storage Media, Holographic Memory, Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corp., Laser recording, Consortium

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Bellcore sees faster speeds for computers

Article Abstract:

Bellcore, the research unit of the Bell regional holding companies, announces a breakthrough that could increase the clock speed of computers by as much as ten times. The method relies on semiconductor lasers acting as a computer's clock rather than the traditional quartz crystal technology. Quartz crystals present problems to computer developers as the upper limits of their speed are tested. One such problem, which is known as skew and is caused by small variations in the crystal's oscillations and by small problems in the miles of wiring found on integrated circuits. Bellcore's laser is the size of a grain of sand and emits a pulse of light every 120 picoseconds. Because the laser is extremely accurate skew, can be reduced and pulses could arrive at the circuit board within 12 picoseconds of each other.

Semiconductors and related devices, Semiconductor industry, Usage, Innovations, Microprocessor, CPUs (Central processing units), Microprocessors, Product introduction, Semiconductor lasers, Performance improvement (Computers), Semiconductor Preparation, New Technique, Performance Improvement, Clocks, Bellcore

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Computer simulation produces activity resembling brain's electrical waves

Article Abstract:

Research conducted at an IBM laboratory on computer simulation of the brain has unexpectedly produced electrical waves that are similar to the brain's own. The research simulated the behavior of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory. The discovery may lead to a better understanding of the disease epilepsy, which involves mysterious increases in electrical activity in the hippocampus. The model may also signal that computers are ready to handle much more complex neural models. Researchers say they can now do experiments on the model as if it were an organism in its own right, perhaps testing the effects of certain drugs on the brain. The research is not simple however, requiring many hours of computing time on an advanced mainframe.

Models, International Business Machines Corp., IBM, Neural networks, Mathematical models, Medical research, Brain, Computer simulation, Neurophysiology, Simulation, Neural Network

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