First optical thermodynamic-like device, for efficient chip-scale data routing, secure telecommunications, and high-performance computing

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1100847

"simpler/ more powerful nonlinear light routing not requiring switches, external control, digital addressing... 2-step process: expansion optical analogue, then thermal equilibrium, enabling light to find correct path naturally by following thermodynamic principles: expansion, compression, phase transitions... control of light and other electromagnetic signals”