Fiber-Optic Delay Line Storage in Digital Optical Computers Based on Directional Couplers

摘要

The use of optical fiber for delay-line memory in LINbO3-switch-based digital optical computers is investigated. Errors caused by the thermal sensitivity of optical fiber could lead to memory failure in a synchronous design if not properly controlled. Intermittent regeneration errors occur at the electro-optic boundary, in part due to optical attenuation. Fiber dispersion, switch crosstalk, polarization effects, and compositional variation in the switch are expected to have negligible effects on the proposed implementation. Suggestions for overcoming these limitations are presented, along with considerations for future developments.