Intel is looking to revolutionize the entire data transfer mechanisms by coming up with data transfer based on the Silicon Photonics. It is a major upgrade from the existing data transfer mechanism. As of now, electrons are used to transfer data and Intel is looking to make use of the speed of light to achieve better speed of data transfers.

Silicon Photonics rides on Hybrid Silicon Laser technology that can help in achieving speeds of 10 Gbps for data transfer. Infact, Intel is even looking at 4 light channels operating at 12.5 Gbps speed to offer a net speed of 50 Gbps. The thought process behind this move is the near saturation in terms of speed on the copper media.

If you are looking at how Intel could possibly use laser channels, then the broad explanation provided by Intel involves the use of 2 transmitters and 4 laser channels that will allow the cumulative speed to be in the range of 50 Gbps.

In case you are wondering when you could lay your hand on the Light-Peak technology of Intel, then you will need to wait because from all the available indications Intel is looking to market this as a premium techology for the high-end enterprise users. In any case, the era of silicon optics for data transfer seems to be round the corner. In another 4 years or so, we will all be using light particles for data transfers to achieve unheard of data speeds.

More information on http://blogs.intel.com/research/2010/07/50g-link.php