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Half a century of optics in computing--a personal perspective [Invited]
1Department of Electrical Engineering Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. jsh@ee.technion.ac.il
Applied Optics
|February 7, 2013
Summary
Optical signal processing, spurred by lasers and spatial-matched filters, has evolved significantly. Novel electro-optic networks show promise for revitalizing optical digital computing.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
Background:
- The invention of the laser in 1960 and the spatial-matched filter in 1964 catalyzed optical signal processing and computing.
- Research in optics for computing has continued for nearly half a century, evolving in unforeseen directions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of developments in optical signal processing and computing.
- To discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of optics in various computing paradigms.
- To identify opportunities for exploiting optics in computing.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical developments in optical signal processing and computing.
- Analysis of early challenges in applying optical methods to digital processing.
- Demonstration of novel electro-optic networks for digital logic functions.
Main Results:
- Initial optical methods focused on analog signal processing.
- Early attempts at digital optical processing faced challenges due to photon-electron differences.
- Advanced concepts and technology, such as electro-optic networks, can enable digital optical computing.
Conclusions:
- Optics offers unique advantages for signal processing and computing.
- Overcoming early limitations is key to realizing the full potential of optical digital computing.
- Emerging technologies may revitalize the role of optics in the digital computing landscape.
