Optical computing: Difference between revisions

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==Optical components for binary digital computer==

The fundamental building block of modern electronic computers is the [[transistor]]. To replace electronic components with optical ones, an equivalent [[optical transistor]] is required. This is achieved by [[crystal optics]] (using materials with a [[Refractive index#Nonlinearity|non-linear refractive index]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=These Optical Gates Offer Electronic Access - IEEE Spectrum |url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/optical-computing-picosecond-gates |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=[[IEEE]] |language=en}}</ref> In particular, materials exist<ref>{{Cite webencyclopedia | url=https://www.rp-photonics.com/nonlinear_index.html | title=Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology - nonlinear index, Kerr effect| encyclopedia=RP Photonics Encyclopedia| date=8 December 2006| last1=Paschotta| first1=Dr Rüdiger}}</ref> where the intensity of incoming light affects the intensity of the light transmitted through the material in a similar manner to the current response of a bipolar transistor. Such an optical transistor<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jain |first1=K. | last2=Pratt | first2=G. W. Jr. |title=Optical transistor |journal=Appl. Phys. Lett. |volume=28 |issue=12 |pages=719 |date=1976 |doi=10.1063/1.88627 |bibcode=1976ApPhL..28..719J }}</ref><ref name=jainprattpatent>{{cite patent

| country = US

| number = 4382660

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[[Optical cavity|Resonator]]s are especially useful in photonic logic, since they allow a build-up of energy from [[constructive interference]], thus enhancing optical nonlinear effects.

Other approaches that have been investigated include photonic logic at a [[Nanotechnology|molecular level]], using [[Photoluminescence|photoluminescent]] chemicals. In a demonstration, Witlicki et al. performed logical operations using molecules and [[surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy|SERS]].<ref>{{cite journal | title = Molecular Logic Gates Using Surface-Enhanced Raman-Scattered Light | first9 = Amar H. | last9 = Flood | first8 = Lasse | last8 = Jensen | first7 = Eric W. | last7 = Wong | first6 = Jan O. | last6 = Jeppesen | first5 = Vincent J. | last5 = Bottomley | first4 = Daniel W. | last4 = Silverstein | first3 = Stinne W. | last3 = Hansen | journal = [[J. Am. Chem. Soc.]] | first2 = Carsten | date = 2011 | volume = 133 | issue = 19 | last2 = Johnsen | pages = 7288–91 | doi = 10.1021/ja200992x | pmid = 21510609 | first1 = Edward H. | last1 = Witlicki | bibcode = 2011JAChS.133.7288W | url = https://figshare.com/articles/Molecular_Logic_Gates_Using_Surface_Enhanced_Raman_Scattered_Light/2651761 | url-access = subscription }}</ref>

==Unconventional approaches==