Optical ComputingJoseph Clarkson

Advantages of Optical ComputingMassive parallelismSpectral domain representationsUltra fastVolume holographic storage

Areas of ResearchOptical learning architecturesOptical processing of advanced radarAcousto-optic switchOptical logic circuitsDynamic organic hologramSynthetic aperture radar processing

Optical Learning ArchitecturesEmulation of neural networksCircuits with photodetectors and light modulatorsSynapses are dynamic holographic interconnection gratings

Optical Learning Architectures - ResultsBack propagation and competitive learning successfully implementedFirst self-aligning holographic multi-layer neural networksFirst winner-take-all VLSI/liquid crystal modulator array

Optical Processing of Advanced RadarProcessing wide-bandwidth data from large phased array radarsNearly intractable for conventional digital signal processorsUse dynamic volume hologramsImplemented an adaptive phased-array radar optical processor with photorefractive crystals

Acousto-optic SwitchMechanical switches are too slow for routing signals in optical fibersLight is diffracted from each fiber to desired destination fiberLow loss

Optical Logic CircuitsOptical computers must have a fundamental logic gateBased on interaction between optical solitonsEnergy-efficient and ultra-fast NOR gate

Light Bullet Dragging

Dynamic Organic HologramPhotorefractive crystals are expensive and limited in sizeReversible photochemical effects in dye molecules suspended in polymer hosts

Synthetic Aperture Radar ProcessingMicrowave hologram of the illuminated areaReal-time processing of imagingCapable of automatic target recognition

ConclusionsHigh performance information processing systemsFast parallel computationMassive data storageEnergy efficient