Application of bistable optical logic gate arrays to all-optical digital parallel processing

Abstract

Arrays of bistable optical gates can form the basis of an all-optical digital parallel processor. Two classes of signal input geometry exist—on- and off-axis—and lead to distinctly different device characteristics. The optical implementation of multisignal fan-in to an array of intrinsically bistable optical gates using the more efficient off-axis option is discussed together with the construction of programmable read/write memories from optically bistable devices. Finally the design of a demonstration all-optical parallel processor incorporating these concepts is presented.