Dynamic Holography: Applications in Information Processing

Abstract

Summary All optical methods still represent, an attractive alternative for providing solutions in information storage and processing capacity problems in the long term. However materials requirements are becoming very strict for such methods to compete with current electronics, pushing the integration of all optical technology even further in the far future. Holographic methods represent the shorter term exploitable means in the field, in particular where applied, not in their passive but, in their dynamic form. In the last decades photorefractive materials offering major advantages, as far as light intensity and optical quality, combined with relatively high speed, numerical aperture and recording resolution are concerned, led to the evolution of a new field. Numerous information processing methods have been demonstrated emphasising on spatial information processing and imaging. The main features of photorefractive materials yet remain unsurpassable, but a plethora of limitations have been identified. Research towards alternative materials and fabrication schemes is under way, and some of them appear to be very promising. Dynamic holography in the UV, visible and near infrared spectral range may provide solutions in numerous areas in the short term. First, optical neural network schemes have been presented worldwide even though at a limited information capacity level but in very promising configurations. Second, optical signal amplification and adaptive signal modulation and transmission may represent an alternative potential channel interconnect architecture. Third, not only the dynamic effects but also new fundamental effects, allowing multiplexed semipermanent and dynamic holographic storage, may play a significant role. The various methods outlined can be combined With recent advances in the field of passive optoelectronics components. Furthermore, the nature of these schemes may allow their potential application by using novel materials yet to be developed.