Intel Milestone Confirms Light Beams Can Replace Electronic Signals for Future Computers

Confirming Gordon Teal's prediction as cited earlier in this blog, Intel has integrated lasers with IC's in silicon.

Intel Milestone Confirms Light Beams Can Replace Electronic Signals for Future Computers -- Intel Creates World's First End-to-End Silicon Photonics Connection with Integrated Lasers; Could Revolutionize Computer Design, Dramatically Increase Performance, Save Energy

Intel Builds Communications System With Silicon-Based Lasers.
The Wall Street Journal (7/28, Clark) says that Intel has used lasers to make a communications device and believes it is correct in predicting that the light beams will take over from electrons in pushing data in computers and networks. The company is using silicon to make the lasers, avoiding the higher costs associated with other materials and different production processes. The Journal says an announcement Tuesday by Intel that it had fashioned an end-to-end system around lasers meant that it was close to commercializing its work and effectively changing how computers are designed. Its prototype, which it calls a link, has four lasers built from silicon and can send data at speeds of 12.5 billion bits per second, the Journal says.