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{{short description|Computer that uses photons or light waves}}
'''Optical computing''' or '''photonic computing''' uses [[light wave]]s produced by [[laser]]s or incoherent sources for [[data processing]], data storage or [[data communication]] for [[computing]]. For decades, [[photon]]s have shown promise to enable a higher [[Bandwidth (signal processing)|bandwidth]] than the [[electron]]s used in conventional computers (see [[optical fiber]]s).
Most research projects focus on replacing current computer components with optical equivalents, resulting in an optical [[digital computer]] system processing [[binary data]]. This approach appears to offer the best short-term prospects for commercial optical computing, since optical components could be integrated into traditional computers to produce an optical-electronic hybrid. However, [[optoelectronic]] devices consume 30% of their energy converting electronic energy into photons and back; this conversion also slows the transmission of messages. All-optical computers eliminate the need for optical-electrical-optical (OEO) conversions, thus reducing electrical [[power consumption]].<ref>{{cite book |first=D.D. |last=Nolte |title=Mind at Light Speed: A New Kind of Intelligence |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q9lB-REWP5EC&pg=PA34 |date=2001 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-0-7432-0501-6 |page=34}}</ref>
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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
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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==
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