Optical Computing: Evolution or Revolution?

Abstract

Two decades ago, it was believed that digital optical computing could never compete with electronic computing. And although enormous strides have been made in the field of electronic computing, there has been a great deal of renewed interest in optical computing. This article examines the potential of optical computing in relation to electronic computing.

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Notes on contributors

Lynn D. Hutcheson

Received a BS and MS in electrical engineering from the University of Colorado and an MS and PhD from the Optical Science Center at the University of Arizona. Currently, he is the manager of optical systems at Ray-net Corp, Menlo Park CA. Before joining Raynet, he was vice-president at Cy-beroptics Corp and chief scientist at APA Optics. For the last several years. his research interests have included high-speed optoelectronics, interconnects and computing, guided-wave optics, and various aspects of electro-optic systems.