ABSTRACT
The key components for digital optical data processing are: two-dimensional opto-electronical or opto-optical logic gate arrays; modules for parallel optical interconnections through free space and for beam shaping; and system design and architectures adapted to optics. Digital Optics is different from integrated optics and from fiber communications: waveguides are good for long-distance interconnections at high data rates with low attenuation. Since waveguides are typically point-to-point interconnects it is cumbersome to connect more than a few participants or terminals. The movement of digital optics gained momentum, when optical bistability became established and when novel parallel architectures were developed especially of implementation by optical means. Communication, as the crucial aspect of high performance data processing, is evident on every level of a computer system. Uniform arrays of optical gates will have to be illuminated for various reasons, such as optical power supply, holding power of amplifiers or bistable elements, or readout illumination.
