The laser is able to encode information into different vortex twists, carrying 10 times the amount of information of conventional linearly lasers University of Buffalo

A vortex laser capable of transferring high levels of data while using less energy could be the savour for Moore's Law, researchers at the University at Buffalo have claimed.

The new laser, which uses a light manipulation technique called orbital angular momentum, distributes the travelling laser light in a corkscrew pattern with a vortex at the center.


Because this is able to encode information into different vortex twists, it is able to carry 10 times the amount of information that conventional linear lasers do.

Moore's Law, the idea that researchers will find new ways to continue making computers smaller, faster and cheaper, was recently questioned by chip giants who warned that transistors will get to a point where they can shrink no further by as soon as 2021.

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According to a report from the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS), in five years' time it will no longer be economically viable to make microchips any smaller.

University of Buffalo


However, according to the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University at Buffalo's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the new light-based communication tool, which works like a whirlpool to carry data in a circular motion, could be the answer to solving the shrinking problem of Moore's Law.

"To transfer more data while using less energy, we need to rethink what's inside these machines," said one of the study's co-authors.

Many researchers have been manipulating lasers that use light to carry information in various ways for some time now. Most common methods include funnelling different signals into one path through wavelength-division multiplexing and time-division multiplexing. But, according to scientists, these optical techniques are also reaching their limits.

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However, thanks to the orbital angular momentum manipulation technique, the University of Buffalo scientists were able to push the limits of this laser technology.

Because the laser beam travels in helical wavefronts, encoding information into different vortex twists, the team said it was able to shrink the laser to the point where it is compatible with computer chips.

The researchers believe that the vortex laser is one component among many, such as advanced transmitters and receivers, which will ultimately be needed to continue building more powerful computers and data centres of the future.