Intel researcher Ling Liao on optical communications

We named Ling Liao, a senior optical researcher in Intel’s Photonics Technology Lab, to our 2006 TR35 list for her work to enable the use of standard silicon in complex optical chips. When we caught up with her recently, she spoke to us about why computers may soon require high-speed optical data transmission. She also took the time to explain why ordinary silicon is the best material for the job, despite its optical restrictions, and how her team is overcoming those limitations.