Investigating Digital Optical Computing with Spatial Light Rebroadcasters

Abstract

Spatial light rebroadcasters (SLRs), consisting of thin films of luminescing electron trapping materials, are explored for digital optical computing. The status of optical computing is reviewed briefly. SLRs are characterized in detail; fabrication, sensitivity, linearity, speed, resolution, and modulation. A number of optical experiments are described that were conducted to determine the device effectiveness, applications for which the devices are best suited, and the direction for research to develop more useful devices. Optical experiments with basic SLR modules include a cascadable module, binary matrix-vector multiplier, and correlator. The basic modules were then used in memory, adder, interconnection, and learning experiments. These experiments show that the SLR has potential for digital optical computing, particularly where high density long term storage is required. However, the lack of gain, incoherent output, and lot output signal, means that other collaborative devices are needed which limit the performance. Future directions are discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 31, 1991
Accession Number
ADA244466

Entities

People

  • Alastair D. Mcaulay
  • Junqing Wang
  • Xin Xu

Organizations

  • Wright State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Computer Architecture
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Science
  • Computers
  • Content Addressable Memory
  • Correlators
  • Detectors
  • Digital Computers
  • Electronics
  • Energy Levels
  • Engineering
  • Fabrication
  • High Resolution
  • Modulators
  • Neural Networks
  • Thick Films
  • Thin Films

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics