Abstract

Massively parallel processing systems have the serious problems of interconnection pathways between processors. Light beams are particularly appropriate for this purpose, because they can cross each other with no mutual interference.[1] Optical interconnections which satisfy this condition can be classified into two techniques, which involve two-dimensional waveguide[2]-[4] and free-space interconnections. These interconnections have no physical pathways. Taking into account pathway density and power efficiency, waveguide techniques are suitable for bus-connections between in-plane processors, while free-space techniques are suitable for interconnections between plane-to-plane processors. One of the authors has already proposed free-space interconnections using micro lens arrays for this purpose.[5] This paper describes an attempted implementation of the new optical buses using two-dimensional waveguides for parallel processing initially proposed by R. A. Linke.[6] Their principles are successfully demonstrated, using glass plates with concave lenses.

© 1991 Optical Society of America