Solid state: Bistable optical devices promise subpicosecond switching: Extensive research in materials and phenomena could lead to their ultimate use in optical communications, despite high power dissipation

A new type of optical element - a bistable optical device that exhibits two distinct states of transmission of light through it - is being developed in several laboratories. With its extraordinary range of optical signal processing capabilities, it could become a key component in future high-speed optical communications repeaters, as well as in terminai equipment, data communication systems, and systems for the direct optical processing of visual images.