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Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE

The Prospects For Optically Bistable Devices In Digital Optical Circuits For A Simple Optical Finite State Machine

Stanley Desmond Smith, Andrew Walker, Brian S. Wherrett, Frank A. P. Tooley

Published Feb 13, 1986• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

We review the physical principles underlying logic decision making and communication for both optics and electronics. Research directions towards demonstration machines are indicated using the experimentally proven properties of bistable memories, logic gates and optical transphasors. The demonstration of restoring optical logic, a 'lock and clock' architecture and of a simple finite state machine is described.

DOI
10.1117/12.964009

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We review the physical principles underlying logic decision making and communication for both optics and electronics. Research directions towards demonstration machines are indicated using the experimentally proven properties of bistable memories, logic gates and optical transphasors. The demonstration of restoring optical logic, a 'lock and clock' architecture and of a simple finite state machine is described.
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.