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optical computer |
Also found in: Wikipedia, Hutchinson | 0.04 sec. |
optical computerA computer in which all internal circuits use light instead of electricity. Long predicted, an all-optical computer is not expected for some time as there are enormous hurdles to overcome. However, there are definite advantages to optical circuits over electrical ones. Light beams are neither affected by external radiation, nor by themselves. In fact, light beams can cross each other, allowing for simpler travel paths between inputs and outputs. See all-optical network. optical computer [′äp·tə·kəl kəm′pyüd·ər] (computer science) A computer that uses various combinations of holography, lasers, and mass-storage memories for such applications as ultra-high-speed signal processing, image deblurring, and character recognition. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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The new fabrication scheme could prove to be a cheaper and more flexible route to building miniature constructions, including scaffolds for growing replacement tissues and photonic crystals for optical computing. These new devices and materials are expected to dramatically improve performance and reduce costs of electro-optic components for telecommunications, phased array antenna systems, optical computing, optical signal processing and optical interconnects. Topics discussed at Photonics West range from lasers and optical storage in consumer electronics to next-generation optical computing to light-based methods to detect and treat cancer to fiber optic sensors that can detect toxins in exhaled breath or biohazards in the environment. |
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