Abstract

Binary symmetric logic function (BSLF)¹, because of its invariance under the permutation of its input variables, is an important class of Boolean logic function. The diversified BSLF applications include the synthesis of binary full adder and subtractor, the binary text comparator, the median filter, the parity checker, various threshold elements, eta.. The classical BSLF realization uses an array of regularly interconnected slow-speed electric contact network. Optical switches, because of their pico-or femtosecond switching capability, are excellent candidates for an optical BSLF (OBSLF) implementation. In this paper, various OBSLF architectures together with their applications to optical digital and symbolic computing, data communication, image processing, as well as neural networks, are described.

© 1989 Optical Society of America