Digital Optical Computing

SPIE Critical Reviews cover a variety of optics-related topics.

Optical Computers provides the first in-depth review of the possibilities and limitations of optical data processing.

Optical Computers provides the first in-depth review of the possibilities and limitations of optical data processing.

Written by ten leading experts in the field, Optical Computing cover topics such as optical bistability, optical interconnects and circuits, photorefractive devices, spatial light modulators, associative memory, and optical computer architectures.

The research detailed in this book has been motivated by the search for a simple parallel digital optical architecture for image processing. The development of a simple unified consistent theory of parallel binary image processing is described and its implementation on digital optical processors is considered. Both theoretical and experimental work are included, and both algorithmic and architectural designs are covered. Also presented are the experimental results of the implementation of a prototype Digital Optical Cellular Image Processor (DOCIP) system used to demonstrate the concept of the DOCIP architecture.

Optical Computing Hardware provides information pertinent to the advances in the development of optical computing hardware. This book discusses the two application areas, namely, high-performance computing and high-throughput photonic switching. Organized into 11 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the requirements on hardware from s system perspective. This text then presents the self-electro-optic-effect devices (SPEED), the vertical-cavity-surface- emitting microlasers (VCSEL), and the vertical-to-surface transmission electrophotonic device (VSTEP). Other chapters consider the fundamental principles of the devices and their operation either as logic devices or for optical interconnection applications. This book discusses as well the planar optical microlens as an example of a refractive microlens of the gradient-index type and explains the diffractive optical elements. The final chapter describes a method for writing and reading optically in parallel from a three-dimensional matrix by means of two-photon interaction in photochromic organic materials. This book is a valuable resource for engineers, scientists, and researchers.

Optics is entering all phases of computer technology. By providing new research and ideas, it brings the reader up to date on how and why optics is likely to be used in next generation computers and at the same time explains the unique advantage optics enjoys over conventional electronics and why this trend will continue. Covered are basic optical concepts such as mathematical derivations, optical devices for optical computing, optical associative memories, optical interconnections, and optical logic. Also suggested are a number of research activities that are reinforcing the trend toward optics in computing, including neural networks, the software crisis, highly parallel computation, progress in new semiconductors, the decreasing cost of laser diodes, communication industry investments in fiber optics, and advances in optical devices. Exercises, solutions sets, and examples are provided.