Optical computer
Optical computers are computers or arithmetic units that work completely or partially with optical elements instead of the electronic components commonly used today. Optoelectronic elements or passive optical non-linear elements are used here.
Advantages and disadvantages
The use of optical systems in computer technology offers several advantages over conventional electronics:
- almost loss-free transmission over long distances
- High transmission speed (about ten times the speed of electronic connections)
- High bandwidth (e.g. through the use of wavelength division multiplex)
- Optical free space connections enable direct connections and three-dimensional connections
In contrast, the increased effort in the manufacture and integration of optical elements in existing systems results in higher production costs.
Possible uses of optical connections
- Connection of assemblies , e.g. B. Computer with computer
- Connection of printed circuit boards , e.g. B. in arithmetic units
- Connection of components on circuit boards, e.g. B. CPU with RAM
- Integrated Circuit Connections
While the connection of assemblies and printed circuit boards is already in use today, connections from and in integrated circuits are still in development.
Principles of optoelectronic data processing
Optical connecting elements and / or processing units are integrated into electronic systems. Light serves as an information carrier , the logical switching processes are controlled electronically.
This method is particularly suitable for distributing the clock rate in a system, which also leads to a minimization of the clock offset .
Principles of optical data processing
Above all, passive optical elements are used here. Here, too, light serves as an information carrier, but the switching processes are carried out by control light beams that change the refractive index of non-linear optical materials . Such components have properties similar to electronic transistors .