Abstract

We constructed an optical digital processor in which large arrays of symmetric self-electro-optic-effect (S-SEED) devices are available for use as optical logic gates. Four arrays were used, and 32 devices on each array were connected to the next array via a free-space optical split and shift network. Patterned masks, which blocked some of the light beams, were used to configure the ma chine. The optical power supply consisted of a pair of 850 nm, 10 mW laser diodes for each gate array. A Dammann grating was used to split each pair of laser beams into an array of 32 beams. When these beams reflected off one of the S-SEED arrays, they became the input signals to the next array. We used polarizing beam splitters and placed patterned mirrors in focal planes to combine the two inputs and the power supply beams at the device and to retrieve the reflected output. The system was clocked by current modulating the lasers. Two circuits were demonstrated: a shift register that used 1-input gates and a selector/decoder that used 2 inputs. The former circuit ran at 1 MHz, the latter at 70 kHz.

© 1990 Optical Society of America