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Nonlinear Optics: Materials and Devices pp 180–221Cite as

Semiconductor Optical Bistability: Towards the Optical Computer

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Part of the book series: Springer Proceedings in Physics ((SPPHY,volume 7))

Abstract

Optical computing was first discussed seriously in the 1960’s. In the context of the nonlinear optical devices available at that time, however, it was concluded that digital optical computational techniques could not hope to compete with electronics. Since that time there have of course been great advances in electronic machines. Nevertheless the possibility of developing viable optical computing systems returned to prominence in the early 1980’s.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Heriot-Watt University, EH14 4AS, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

    B. S. Wherrett

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  1. B. S. Wherrett
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire d’Optique Quantique du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Ecole Polytechnique, F-91128, Palaiseau Cedex, France

    Christos Flytzanis

  2. C.N.E.T., 196, rue de Paris, F-92220, Bagneux, France

    Jean Louis Oudar

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© 1986 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Wherrett, B.S. (1986). Semiconductor Optical Bistability: Towards the Optical Computer. In: Flytzanis, C., Oudar, J.L. (eds) Nonlinear Optics: Materials and Devices. Springer Proceedings in Physics, vol 7. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-47547-4_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-47547-4_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-47551-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-47547-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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