Optoelectronic approach to optical parallel processing based on the photonic parallel memory

A photonic parallel memory (PPM), an array of optoelectronic bistable switches, was proposed for application to optical parallel processing. Each of the switch consists of a heterojunction phototransistor (HPT) and a light-emitting diode (LED). In addition to the electrically erased PPM having only switches, an optically erasable PPM (OE-PPM) with functions of optical write-in, read-out and erasing was fabricated. The optical reset function was attained by an additional HPT connected to the switch electrically in parallel. The PPM can be used not only as a memory but as a logic gate. An optical parallel logic gate executing exclusive OR (EOR) was proposed as an application of the OE-PPM. The EOR operation with optical input and output was implemented.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.