The European Joint Optical Bistability Project

Paul Mandel, Stanley Desmond Smith, Brian S. Wherrett

S.D. Smith

The Commission of the European Communities (EC) through its Committee for the Development of European Science and Technology (CODEST) has established a multi-national 'operation' on optical bistability and optical digital computing with initial funding of 1.8m ecu over a two-year period.

E. Garmire, Doreen A. Weinberger, Jack L. Jewell

Paul Mandel, Stuart D. Smith, Brian S. Wherrett

This book describes a programme of research at both basic and applied levels on the subject of optical bistability, and the devices that can be derived using the physical principles inherent to this phenomenon. A highlight of the volume is the description of research on giant optical nonlinearities and the realization of the first all-optical circuits, The European Joint Optical Bistability (EJOB) project, whose work is represented in this volume, has successfully demonstrated an all-optical digital circuit in the form of a classical finite state machine. This proves the scientific feasibility of a new family of computers which rival, and which will eventually exceed, the maximum processing capability attainable with electronics technology. These impressive advances are at least on part due to the unique collaboration fostered by EJOB, bringing together Belgian, German, British, Italian, French and Irish scientists. The result is a book capturing the massive potential of European science and technology.

Nasser N. Peyghambarian