5 ms·
> Scaling down the concept to the scale where it could operate on light waves and be placed on a microchip > “We could use the technology behind rewritable CDs
by jarfil 8y ago
> Scaling down the concept to the scale where it could operate on light waves and be placed on a microchip
> “We could use the technology behind rewritable CDs to make new Swiss cheese patterns as they’re needed,”
Could be not much different from compiling and running stuff on an FPGA.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- sbzodnsbd 8y agoAssuming these structures can be changed like an FPGA. It’s not obvious how you can change the microstructure of a material to something you like in minutes.
- lostmsu 8y agoWell, there are CD-RWs
- sbzodnsbd 8y agoFor a 2D structure, maybe. What is the depth of the feature though? I saw those pictures as light shining along the plane, not across it (am I wrong?). If it’s across it’s not obvious that CDRW’s features are deep enough and the “empty” space transparent enough. How about 3D micro-structures? It’s hard enough to make a one off 3D structure reproducible, never mind a changeable one.
- romwell 8y ago>How about 3D micro-structures? It’s hard enough to make a one off 3D structure reproducible Well, there are 3D printers :)
- sbzodnsbd 8y agoDisclaimer: I find this super cool. I love analog solutions to engineering problems. This is about optical wavelength length scales -> feature sizes << 1500nm for infrared 3D printers’ feature sizes work for giga hertz waves (as a guestimate) assuming: - The features can be printed - 3D have limitations after all. - the materials that can be 3D printed are optically suitable.