© 2002 jukal at cyberian dot org
Processing at the speed of light, DLPU (Dedicated Light Processing Unit).
Do we see the light in enhancing processing speeds or calculations based on certain algorithms? Initial mindfart on the concept
 
Light could be the answer for speeding up the calculation. Consider a piece of software which performs relatively simple (bytewise) operations to a target to render the result. Many of the encryption algorithms fall into this category.  
As an example, let's take the DES algorithm. DES is a block chipher and operates on plaintext blocks of size 64 bits, and results in a permutation among the 2^64. The effective keysize in DES is 56 bits.

As permutation is core of DES - and in general "simple state shifts" are the basis of most encryption algorithms, I assume these state shifts can be achieved using optical switches, see Intelligent Cross-Bar Switch for Optical Telecommunications based on Micro-Mirro Array as a reference and early proof-of-concept for that matter.

Therefore, in not so long time, we will see installations in which traditional computers are used to generate initial state data, which is then passed as seed for DLPU over a digital-optic converter. DLPU takes care of the tradionally CPU heavy crunching, and passes the result back to the computer over a optic-digital converter. Multiple DLPU units can be utilized at the same time to achieve parallel processing benefits.

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Cyborg in ear: "nice orgy bar".
"Bingo!", Ear cry.