Boffins dye the Internet to speed it up

A GROUP of boffins, from three research institutions, has worked out a new technique for making optical material speed up networks.

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Science, Washington State University and the University of Leuven in Belgium have developed a new synthesised organic dye molecule that interacts more strongly with light than anything else.

According to CBC, if the dye is used in internet connections, optical switches and other optical technologies, the whole lot goes like the clappers.

Washington State University physicist Mark Kuzyk said the new molecule is a synthesised version of a chromophore developed by chemists in China. According to calculations, the chromophore is 50 per cent better than any molecule previously tested.

They are better at their jobs because they have a unique structure that keeps electrons confined to a small range of movement, allowing for more efficient interaction with light.

It is thought that the molecules could be used to coat circuits, computer chips or optic fibres to improve the speed of data transmitted through electric charge. µ