Free-space interconnects for high-performance optoelectronic switching

The authors describe the two architectures they have developed that use and demonstrate free-space optical interconnects for digital logic: a high-performance optoelectronic computing module and a second-generation digital optoelectronic computer. The low-power, high-performance optoelectronic computing (HPOC) module was designed for switching and data processing applications. Its architecture uses global, free-space, smart optical interconnects rather than electronic interconnects. The HPOC modules, which incorporate arrays of microlasers, diffractive optical interconnect elements and detectors, are currently undergoing prototype fabrication. By extending the high fan-in and fan-out capabilities of free-space optical interconnects, HPOC modules-when properly configured-offer a significant reduction in power, while maintaining good algorithmic efficiency and high noise margin.