Cascadable Digital Optical Logic Circuit Elements in the Visible and Infrared: Prospects for Fast Array Processors

Abstract

An extensive experimental and theoretical programme in our laboratory and in conjunction with a number of other European laboratories has now developed a series of optical circuit elements including optically bistable switches capable of steady state cw (operation) combined with external address for both visible and infrared wavelengths. The devices are sufficiently controllable that the characteristics may be varied to give bistable switches, bistable memories, latchable gates, resettable gates or analogue amplifying elements or transphasors.