Chemists at the University of Waterloo say that they may have discovered a faster and more efficient way to store and process information using the power of light to induce magnetization in certain semiconductors.
Computer chips have been shrinking in size for decades, and are nearing the physical limits of potential technological improvements in processing density. Professor Pavle Radovanovic of Waterloo says, “We’ve basically magnetized individual semiconducting nanocrystals (tiny particles nearly 10,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair) with light at room temperature. … It’s the first time someone’s been able to use collective motion of electrons, known as plasmon, to induce a stable magnetization within such a non-magnetic semiconductor material.”
Radovanovic expressed that his method could at first lead to highly sensitive magneto-optical sensors for thermal imaging and chemical sensing. Farther down the road, he envisions this approach extending to quantum sensing, data storage, and quantum information processing.
PXI switching module selected for A-10C aircraft ground support
(U.S. Air Force photo)
Pickering Interfaces announced that the U.S. Air Force, Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill AFB, Utah, recently awarded the company a contract for a large quantity of 6U High-Density Matrix modules (Model 45-542) for the PXI switching requirement that is part of the PATS-70A (Portable Automated Test Set) for the O-Level and I-Level maintenance of A-10C aircraft…(click headline to read more)
Mars 2020 rover mission will carry a helicopter to the Red Planet
(Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech)
NASA announced recently that its Mars 2020 rover mission will carry a helicopter, or “marscopter,” to the Red Planet. NASA said the copter—the result of four years of design, testing, and redesign—weighs in at little under four pounds and has a fuselage about the size of a softball…(click headline to read more)
MIPI I3C Host Controller Interface speeds sensor integration
The MIPI Alliance, an international organization that develops interface specifications for mobile and mobile-influenced industries, recently released MIPI I3C Host Controller Interface (HCI) v1.0…(click headline to read more)
X-FAB introduces galvanic isolation technology
X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE, an analog/mixed-signal and specialty foundry, has announced the availability of a new galvanic isolation process technology that enables the fabrication of robust and reliable high-voltage signal-isolation solutions…(click headline to read more)
TDK acquires Faraday Semi LLC to bolster power solutions
TDK Corp. announced that it has acquired Faraday Semi LLC, a U.S.-based venture-backed company engaged in the design of advanced power semiconductor ICs. Faraday Semi is now a wholly owned subsidiary of TDK…(click headline to read more)
