Optical threshold logic elements and circuits for digital computation

摘要

Digital computation is performed on an integrated optical circuit level using optical threshold logic elements. Each input and output optical beam of each element occupies a separate channel and interacts with only one switching component thus assuring true digital computation. These circuits provide access to the entire class of logic functions routinely utilized in electronic digital computers. The integrated optical devices are programmable and are capable of high speed logic operations and reliable digital operation in a complex network.