Abstract

Rapid progress in optical computing and optical neural networks has been observed in recent years. In various models and designs, the nonlinear thresholding and switching elements always play an important role. St is interesting, therefore, to investigate the implementation of optical nonlinear thresholding and switching by various approaches. Several configurations have been demonstrated with such properties, using photorefractive materials and an external cavity, an additional erasing beam, or an applied external field.

© 1989 Optical Society of America