Scientists create ultra fast memory using light (www.isi.edu)

Researchers at the University of Southern California Information Sciences Institute (USC ISI) and the University of Wisconsin–Madison have developed the first regenerative photonic memory on a commercial platform, marking a pivotal advancement in light-based computing. This innovation addresses the significant “interconnect delay” challenge in modern computing, where traditional electronic systems struggle with speed and energy efficiency due to limitations in metal wire transmission and heat generation. The new memory technology allows data to be stored and processed within the optical domain, eliminating the energy waste associated with transitioning between optical and electronic systems. The photonic latch, which operates similarly to electronic RAM but at a much faster speed, was produced using the GlobalFoundries Fotonix™ platform, indicating its readiness for commercial scalability. This breakthrough not only represents a practical step toward building complete photonic computing systems but also has implications for enhancing AI accelerators and tensor cores, where high-speed, energy-efficient memory solutions are crucial. The team's work will be presented at the 2025 IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting, spotlighting its potential to revolutionize the future of computing technology.