Abstract

We are examining the integration of smart pixels in free space digital optics (FSDO) systems to create advanced architectures for digital optical computing. These systems consist of large arrays of electronic processing or switching nodes interconnected by optical links. We are exploring applications that require very high information input/output capacity and very high spatial information density at each processing module. FSDO offers potential improvements by increasing both the number of I/O channels per chip and the temporal bandwidth per channel. Smart pixel technology has matured enough to provide device access for practical research on the integration of these systems in an optical system. This research provides useful feedback for device makers, circuit designers, optical system designers and system architects.

© 1995 Optical Society of America