All-optical associative memory based on a nonresonant cavity with image-bearing beams
M. Ingold, M. Schadt, M. Duelli +1 more
A new implementation of an all-optical associative memory is presented. It is realized in a nonresonant cavity containing a photorefractive and a nematic liquid crystal. The images, which are stored on slides, modulate the intensities of the signal beams circulating in the cavity. In a photorefractive KNbO3 crystal the signal images are compared with an arbitrary input image on the pump beam by multiple two-beam coupling. In the nematic liquid-crystal cell the signal images are thresholded by a feedback-induced optical bistability. Associative readout, error correction, and image completion are demonstrated for two and three stored black-and-white images. The performance of the new scheme is estimated to be comparable with that of nonlinear holographic associative memories based on thin holograms.
Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Aug 1, 1992•8 citations