This is kind of obvious or ignorant yet there are just a few references to photodielectric effect about semiconductors online

use the photodielectric effect to make better semiconductors

basically intel did this thing where they used hafnium as a dielectric (insulator)on chips as it is a more effective insulator between active regions I figured that the photoelectric effect was also a photodielectric effect that is you could use light on a specially doped semiconductor to make it more insulative

thus the idea here is to dope the si or SiHf material such that it is photodielectric that is even more insulative

then materials like LEDs turn on the super insulativity of the material

that creates a clockless cpu opportunity although thats a different idea

anyway there are photodielectrics listed at (link) Russian research like GeAs as well as CdS I cannot tell about silicon

anyway circuits are so tiny they are effectively light transparent yet because of bandpass effect photons that cause superinsulativity may lack absorption at an electron transport material
-- beanangel, Oct 12 2009

(?) this Russian researchers publications are the biggest list of photodielectrics ive seen yet http://www.chembio....ca/serguei/doc2.htm
[beanangel, Oct 12 2009]

Are you sure the photodielectric effect produces an insulator that is better than ususal ones? I gathered the effect to be interesting for it's interactiveness, -> having a material that alters it's capacity according to light influx.
-- loonquawl, Oct 12 2009


I have the impression that this could work. Have you considered the possibility of actually using light itself for signalling inside the chip?
-- nineteenthly, Oct 12 2009


You haven't explained how this electronics stuff is connected to the fryer
-- pocmloc, Oct 12 2009


I thought dielectric was a Welsh wiring expert.

Aside from that, though, I too was under the impression that the photodielectric effect was used to switch from conduction to insulation, but that the insulation achieved was not that fantastic (ie, the merits of the dielectric effect rested on its switchability, just as photoresistors are used for light responsiveness, not as "better resistors").

I dunno, Beany. You may have something in mind that's brilliant, but it takes some digging.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Oct 12 2009


Maybe the hardware [beanangel] runs on uses this technology.
-- nineteenthly, Oct 12 2009



random, halfbakery