Experimental verification of parallel processing on a hybrid optical parallel array logic system

Abstract

A hybrid digital optical computing system is constructed, a variation of the optical parallel array logic system (OPALS). The OPALS is a general-purpose digital optical computing system based on optical array logic, in which image coding and 2-D correlation are used to achieve parallel logical operations. In the constructed system, 2-D correlation for optical array logic is performed optically with a modified multireflective correlator; the other procedures in optical array logic are achieved by electronics including a TV feedback system. We have verified correct execution of programs written by optical array logic on the system. Although the processing speed of the system is still slow because of the sequential process in electronics, it can be drastically improved by replacing the sequential processing devices with parallel ones.