Abstract

To obtain the full data processing potential of optical computing, the practical system may well evolve in the form of fast switching arrays of bistable elements which exploit the innate parallelism of optics. Such arrays will be required to operate efficiently with low incident powers, high switching speed, gain, good tolerance to noise and minimal cross talk between channels. An investigation of these competing criteria has been undertaken with an Indium Antimonide etalon using low power c.w. CO lasers, lead-salt diode lasers and other sources of switching signal.

© 1987 Optical Society of America