Despite previous technology projections, progress in device design and manufacturing has been better than expected. Given that this trend continues, semiconductor devices should continue to be essential components of high-performance computers well past the turn of the century. But, to achieve usable PetaFLOPS computing capabilities will require considerable effort in advancing the state of the art in optical and superconductive devices, even as semiconductor capabilities improve.
The Device Technology Working Group believes that optical interconnects and optical memory not only will provide performance enhancement for PetaFLOPS computers, but will be critical to the realization of these computing systems. The large data transfer rates needed within PetaFLOPS computers to avoid processors sitting idle waiting for inputs dictate that high-bandwidth optical channels be used for much of the interconnection.
The working group also believes that R&Dsupport for smart pixel arrays and interconnection optics should be enhanced, and that R&Din other optical technology areas ranging from optical memory backplane to optical radio should be initiated.
Finally, superconductive device technology offers considerable promise for very low-power, very high-speed computing elements. Developing and implementing this technology in viable PetaFLOPS computing systems will require R&Dprogress in a number of critical areas, such as cryogenic subnanosecond memory, optical I/O to cryo, very high-density packaging, and high-reliability cooling, to cite only a few. The working group believes that important progress can be realized in superconductive technology over a 10-year period for relatively modest costs.