IMPLEMENTATION OF A GENERAL-PURPOSE STORED-PROGRAM DIGITAL OPTICAL COMPUTER

The implementation of what we believe to be the first stored-program digital optical computer is described. The implementation domain consists of lithium niobate directional couplers that are modified to provide optical control and are interconnected with single-mode fiber. The architecture is also the first to employ time-of-flight synchronization. That is, there are no flip-flops used as synchronizing memory elements. Synchronization is achieved by the precise timing of the arrival of information at all points of interaction. The design is a minimal one, employing only 62 directional couplers. Previous papers have discussed the primary architecture and synchronization conditions for the machine. Here we focus on the secondary architecture, construction, debugging, and performance of the machine.