The article Magnon Chips: How magnetism could change computer technology first appeared in the online magazine BASIC thinking. With our newsletter UPDATE you can start the day well informed every morning.
So-called magnon chips use magnetic waves to generate electrical signals. They could enable faster and more efficient computer systems.
Scientists at the University of Delaware have made a discovery that could change the foundation of computing. They were able to show for the first time that magnetic waves, known as magnons, generate electrical signals in materials.
This insight is considered a crucial step because it connects two key forces in data processing. Research thus points to a new generation of computer chips that work significantly faster and are at the same time extremely energy efficient.
The core problem with today’s chips is often unnecessary energy losses that occur when transmitting data. The new work shows a way to eliminate these losses. If the implementation is successful, this could lead to more powerful and particularly energy-saving chips. These would have the ability to seamlessly fuse magnetic and electrical components together.
Magnon chips: Magnetic waves as data carriers
Magnons are tiny magnetic spin waves that can travel through various materials. A new one theoretical study The engineers now prove that these spin waves are capable of generating detectable electrical signals. The mechanism thus bridges an important technological gap between the two forces in computing.
Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences goes even further. At the same time, it identifies potential methods by which scientists can control the magnons directly with electric fields. This direct link between magnons and electricity was previously one of the biggest challenges in chip development.
The path to terahertz frequencies
The scientists’ work supports the mission of the CHARM Center at the university. The center is aimed at designing so-called hybrid quantum materials and better understanding their functions. These materials are intended to operate primarily in the terahertz frequency range, which is considered key for future generations of technologies.
The research results open up the possibility for completely new computer architectures. These are intended to completely bring together electrical and magnetic systems. The goal is clear: to advance faster and more energy-efficient technologies that make ultra-fast data processing more accessible to you. Primary funding for this landmark project came from the National Science Foundation.
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As a Tech Industry expert, I am intrigued by the potential of Magnon Chips to revolutionize computing through the use of magnetism. By harnessing the properties of magnons, which are collective excitations of magnetic moments in a material, these chips have the potential to enable faster and more energy-efficient processing compared to traditional electronic chips.
One of the key advantages of Magnon Chips is their potential for low-power operation, as magnons can propagate through a material with minimal energy loss. This could lead to significant improvements in energy efficiency for computing devices, reducing the environmental impact of computing operations and extending battery life for mobile devices.
Additionally, the use of magnetism in computing opens up new possibilities for novel computing architectures and functionalities. For example, magnons could be used to create new types of memory and logic devices that are faster and more reliable than current technologies. This could pave the way for advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, data processing, and quantum computing.
Overall, I believe that Magnon Chips have the potential to bring about a paradigm shift in computing technology and drive innovation in the tech industry. It will be exciting to see how this emerging technology develops and the impact it will have on the future of computing.
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