Data transfer via light can speed up PCs
WASHINGTON: Stanford engineers have inched closer to developing faster and more efficient computers that use light instead of wires to carry 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.
The development could eventually lead to computers that use optics, rather than electricity, to carry data. Researchers used optical link — a tiny slice of silicon etched with a pattern that resembles a bar code.
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. This is a big step toward creating a complete system for connecting computer components with light rather than wires.
"Light can carry more data than a wire, and it takes less energy to transmit photons than electrons," said research leader Jelena Vuckovic. In previous work her team developed an algorithm that did two things: It automated the process of designing optical structures and it enabled them to create previously unimaginable, nanoscale structures to control light. Now, she and lead author Alexander Piggott have employed that algorithm to design, build and test a link compatible with current fibre optic networks.
The structure was made by etching a tiny bar code pattern into silicon that split waves of light like a prism. The effect followed the principle that speed of light changes as it passes through different materials.
SBI curb on facebook, twitter
You can have a facebook or Twitter profile in your 'real' name, but be careful when you make a post or become member of any community. State Bank of India, the largest public sector lender in India has come out with a long 'not to do' list for its entire employees active on social media.
The State Bank of India has asked its employees to submit an undertaking for that and the set of guidelines will be effective from December 1. Around 2.5 lakh employees of the bank in India and abroad have to give an undertaking this month. Moreover, the perquisites of the employees are not likely to be processed from December onwards if the undertaking is not signed. According to an employee in the Bengal circle of the bank, they have to fill out a form for perquisites by the first week of each month. "Unless the undertaking is ticked, perquisites cannot be processed," he said.
State Bank of India, which is one quite active entity on social networking sites, has smelled a rat in some of the recent posts and comments. According to sources in the bank, some of the staff of the bank has been posting "sensitive information" on the social media, especially on facebook. There have been information leaks from bank employees regarding systems, processes and working of the core banking solution.
In its set of guidelines the bank has said that if any of the employees create accounts or profiles which are other than the real name, then the employee will be penalised. In its set of guidelines the bank has said that employees of the bank cannot form or promote any group or community on any internet site using SBI's name or logo. The employees can become a member if the group is permitted by the bank authorities.
What if employees have multiple profiles on the social networking sites? Can they be tracked? While the bank has not specified anything about multiple profiles already existing on the social networking sites, sources said that the employees will have to delete existing accounts other than those in their real names. Months back one of the employees of Bengal circle, who was making comments about the bank, was tracked down by the management with the help of cyber crime cell of Kolkata Police.
SBI deputy MD S Srivastava said that the circular would not restrict employees to operate social sites at home to connect with friends. "This is only to restrict employees to do something which is derogatory for our organisation," he added.
About 2.5 lakh employees of SBI are able to comment or post on social networking sites but there is a rider attached to that. "No employees should criticize the management of the bank," the circular issued by the bank's deputy managing director JN Misra read. Employees are also barred from commenting or criticizing bank processes if they are not happy with that. But what is the bank afraid of? According to a senior SBI official, social media is accessible to public at large and comments on social media can hamper image of the bank.
WASHINGTON: Stanford engineers have inched closer to developing faster and more efficient computers that use light instead of wires to carry 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.
The development could eventually lead to computers that use optics, rather than electricity, to carry data. Researchers used optical link — a tiny slice of silicon etched with a pattern that resembles a bar code.
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. This is a big step toward creating a complete system for connecting computer components with light rather than wires.
"Light can carry more data than a wire, and it takes less energy to transmit photons than electrons," said research leader Jelena Vuckovic. In previous work her team developed an algorithm that did two things: It automated the process of designing optical structures and it enabled them to create previously unimaginable, nanoscale structures to control light. Now, she and lead author Alexander Piggott have employed that algorithm to design, build and test a link compatible with current fibre optic networks.
The structure was made by etching a tiny bar code pattern into silicon that split waves of light like a prism. The effect followed the principle that speed of light changes as it passes through different materials.
SBI curb on facebook, twitter
You can have a facebook or Twitter profile in your 'real' name, but be careful when you make a post or become member of any community. State Bank of India, the largest public sector lender in India has come out with a long 'not to do' list for its entire employees active on social media.
The State Bank of India has asked its employees to submit an undertaking for that and the set of guidelines will be effective from December 1. Around 2.5 lakh employees of the bank in India and abroad have to give an undertaking this month. Moreover, the perquisites of the employees are not likely to be processed from December onwards if the undertaking is not signed. According to an employee in the Bengal circle of the bank, they have to fill out a form for perquisites by the first week of each month. "Unless the undertaking is ticked, perquisites cannot be processed," he said.
State Bank of India, which is one quite active entity on social networking sites, has smelled a rat in some of the recent posts and comments. According to sources in the bank, some of the staff of the bank has been posting "sensitive information" on the social media, especially on facebook. There have been information leaks from bank employees regarding systems, processes and working of the core banking solution.
In its set of guidelines the bank has said that if any of the employees create accounts or profiles which are other than the real name, then the employee will be penalised. In its set of guidelines the bank has said that employees of the bank cannot form or promote any group or community on any internet site using SBI's name or logo. The employees can become a member if the group is permitted by the bank authorities.
What if employees have multiple profiles on the social networking sites? Can they be tracked? While the bank has not specified anything about multiple profiles already existing on the social networking sites, sources said that the employees will have to delete existing accounts other than those in their real names. Months back one of the employees of Bengal circle, who was making comments about the bank, was tracked down by the management with the help of cyber crime cell of Kolkata Police.
SBI deputy MD S Srivastava said that the circular would not restrict employees to operate social sites at home to connect with friends. "This is only to restrict employees to do something which is derogatory for our organisation," he added.
About 2.5 lakh employees of SBI are able to comment or post on social networking sites but there is a rider attached to that. "No employees should criticize the management of the bank," the circular issued by the bank's deputy managing director JN Misra read. Employees are also barred from commenting or criticizing bank processes if they are not happy with that. But what is the bank afraid of? According to a senior SBI official, social media is accessible to public at large and comments on social media can hamper image of the bank.
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