Nonlinear optical signal processing on multiwavelength sensitive materials

Exploiting salient features in the photodynamics of specific types of light sensitive materials, a new approach is presented for realization of parallel nonlinear operations with optics. We briefly review the quantum structure and mathematical models offered for the photodynamics of two multiwavelength sensitive materials, doped crystals of lithium niobate and thick layers of bacteriorhodopsin. Next, a special mode of these dynamics in each material is investigated and a graphical design procedure is offered to produce highly nonlinear optical responses that can be dynamically reshaped via applying minimum changes in the optical setup.