Abstract

The VLSI Technology, as we know it, has the potential of creating systems with 10¹⁰ interconnected active devices on a single silicon wafer. Each device can evaluate an interesting function every 10⁻¹⁰ seconds. The awesome functional capability of such an arrangement is not matched by a corresponding communication bandwidth. Even at present complexity, designs are severely restricted by wiring congestion and delays due to wiring capacitance. The technology is complementary to optical systems, in which communication is fast and abundant, but non-linear functions are slower and more costly. A hybrid technology organized to take advantage of the strengths of both VLSI and optics could have a revolutionary impact on system design.

© 1985 Optical Society of America