Optically switching parallel processors by means of Langmuir-Blodgett multilayer films

The photoexcitation transport and the reversible photochemical reaction in Langmuir-Blodgett film is studied and shows its applicability to an optical parallel processor. The excitation transport is switched depending on UV or visible irradiation, which controls the photochromic reaction. The performance of this photochromic Langmuir-Blodgett multilayer is 10(12) NOT operations s(-1) and is comparable with other types of optical processors, such as a liquid-crystal light valve.