| 摘要 |
The present invention discloses low noise, optically coupled optoelectronic and all-optical artificial neuron devices that can be configured in an array to simulate the function of biological neural networks, and methods for making the artificial neurons. In a first optoelectronic embodiment, the device employs the regenerative pulsation property of astable multivibrators as optical pulse generators. Prior art pulse-coupled artificial neurons are subject to undesirable noise interference because the interconnection of such prior art neurons is based on electrical signals conducted through a grid of wires. The present invention obviates the need for hard-wired interconnection of individual neurons in order to cofigure the neurons into a network. In an optoelectronic embodiment, the neuron receives an optical input signal from an external source. A photosensitive detector, disposed in a circuit to control the state of an astable or bistable multivibrator, converts the intensity of the input light into a train of light pulses having a frequency that is a function of the intensity of the input signal. In an all-optical embodiment of an artificial neuron, an input signal is first integrated and the integrated signal transmitted to an optical pulse generator comprised of a nonlinear material disposed within the cavity of a Fabry-Perot etalon. The output of the etalon is a train of light pulses having a frequency that depends upon the intensity of the integrated input signal. When a weak light signal reaches the neuron's input port, there is no light pulse emitted from the output port. By contrast, a strong signal, or a group of weak signals, triggers a short-lived light pulse. The output pulse frequency is a function of the summed input signal power.
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