Optical Techniques and Data/Knowledge Base Machines

Abstract

The authors discuss how optics offer possible solutions to the requirements for database management. The inherent speed and bandwidth of optics, the ability of optics to carry information without interference at gigahertz rates through guided-wave or free-space propagation, the high speed of some optical switching elements and the two-dimensional character of optical processing, which suits many problems, has significant implications for the design of data and knowledge base systems. The authors discuss these implications.