The possible end of an era
But let me show you how,
Know this pic from somewhere, Maybe from ‘Matrix’ movie.
Well, this is what goes on inside any computers brain. Computing using these sets of 0s and 1s, a communication system (BINARY SYSTEM).
The binary system is the main mode of information transfer in computing devices for a reason, it is easy to comprehend and can be used to carry any length of information. Before understanding this device, we must comprehend its history.
Vacuum tubes will come closest to an ancestor of the transistor, this bulky bulb lookalike instrument works on a simple switch mechanism. When you apply a positive voltage to the grid, the electrons flow through, hence giving a 1 and in the case of a negative voltage, it gives a 0 – A binary system.
A computer that could fit in our hands, this couldn’t have been possible without the invention of integrated circuits (Specific arrangement of transistors). Now Transistors, unlike its predecessor, work on the principle of semiconductors, for example, an NPN transistor works by combining two N-type and one P-type semiconductor.
The area in which the transistors stand out is its size, transistors are small and when I say small I am being under appreciative. You can fit as much as 1billion 400 million transistors in your i7 processor and this its size is still being reduced.
SIZE OF A TRANSISTOR
Now, this looks like an ideal system and I really wish that I could say this would continue for a very very long time but you were promised a complication in the title and I plan on delivering. Well, there is not one but two such things that might cause an end to the dynasty of transistors.
1) Some laws can be bent but others are cast in permanent ink, one such law is the law of physics you cannot change them or go around them. Quantum physics is playing tricks on transistors, reducing its size any further risks quantum tunneling which is just a fancy way of saying the barrier becomes so small that electrons will flow no matter whether the gate is open or shut.
2) Gordon Moore co-founder of Intel predicted the cost of manufacturing transistors doubles every two years this trend has been true till now, affordability has decreased the possibility of making economical transistors in bulk.
These reasons have the potential power to make us look for alternatives, fortunately, the chaos creator itself provides a solution, quantum computing is a potential substitute even faster than our beloved device. Some others say it’s the internet of things that we should focus. In such times of change all computer giants are taking sides, The Intel themselves say that they would focus more on the decrease in power consumption rather than on increases in speed.
Whatever, the future has in hold for the IT industry, We must surely pay our respects to the great era of the transistors.
Authors Note :
I know, I promised you an article on the alternatives of the big bang but I found this to be more interesting and worth sharing and the purpose of this blog is to share ideas worth your time.
BECAUSE
Good ideas are common – what’s uncommon are people who’ll work hard enough to bring them about.
- Ashleigh Brilliant
An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.
- OSCAR WILDE
