Cascade-connective optical parallel logic processor using electrophotonic devices

To perform image or arithmetic processing optically, it is necessary that a large number of required optical processors be connected in a series. For such cascade connections, however, coding and decoding processes are undesirable because of the necessity for the complicated hardware that often results. We propose here a new logic algorithm for application to cascade connections, which utilizes, in place of coding and decoding processes, true logic signals and their complements. Its optical implementation is also discussed. A processing module is constructed from electro-photonic devices referred to as vertical to surface transmission electro-photonic devices, a ferroelectrical liquid-crystal spatial light modulator, and a planar microlens array. Its logic operations are successfully demonstrated.