Invited Paper Optical Resonators For Associative Memory

Dana Z. Anderson

doi:10.1117/12.960393

16 June 1986 Invited Paper Optical Resonators For Associative Memory

Dana Z. Anderson

Proceedings Volume 0613, Nonlinear Optics and Applications; (1986) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.960393
Event: O-E/LASE'86 Symposium, 1986, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

One can construct a memory having associative characteristics using optical resonators with an internal gain medium. The device operates on the principle that an optical resonator employing a holographic grating can have user prescribed eigenmodes. Information that is to be recalled is contained in the hologram. Each information entity (e.g. an image of a cat) defines an eigenmode of the resonator. The stored information is accessed by injecting partial information (e.g. an image of the cat's ear) into the resonator. The appropriate eigenmode is selected through a competitive process in a gain medium placed inside the resonator. With a net gain greater than one, the gain amplifies the field belonging to the eigenmode that most resembles the injected field; the other eigenmodes are suppressed via the competition for the gain. One can expect this device to display several intriguing features such as recall transitions and creativity. I will discuss some of the general properties of this class of devices and present the results from a series of experiments with a simple holographic resonator employing photorefractive gain.

Citation Download Citation

Dana Z. Anderson "Invited Paper Optical Resonators For Associative Memory", Proc. SPIE 0613, Nonlinear Optics and Applications, (16 June 1986); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.960393

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available