"OPTICAL: photonic computer components unveiled"
Photonic microchips were enabled Sunday (Feb. 15) by Cornell University's announcement at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Seattle, of having fabricated all the components for silicon optical computers that use light instead of electrons. Wires were replaced by beams of light routed on-chip through air by silicon waveguides controlled by electro-optical switches, and off-chip by a "pin hole" lens connecting to normal optical fibers
Audio Interviews / Text: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20040216S0019