Light-speed computers in just a few years

Scientists in Britain say a new type of computer that works through silicon-based chips powered through light instead of electricity could lead the way to light-speed computing.

Scientist Jeremy O’Brien, who led the research at the Centre for Quantum Photonics, says the new computers would be able to simulate complex structures and compute new calculations faster than any existing computer.

“We can perform calculations that are exponentially more complex than before,” he told News.com.au. “This will pave the way to quantum computers that will help us understand the most complex scientific problems.”

“We believe, using our new technique, a quantum computer could be performing calculations that are outside the capabilities of conventional computers,” he said, adding such technology could be achievable within just five years.