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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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