Reconfigurable optical interconnections for parallel computing

We describe our research on optically interconnected optoelectronic parallel computing systems. Our architecture is based on a multilayer pipeline of two-dimensional optoelectronic device arrays in which each pixel is composed of an optical input channel, a general-purpose programmable processor, local memory, and a surface-emitting laser diode as an optical output channel. Free-space optics provides parallel, global communication between layers in the pipeline via optical paths that are dynamically reconfigurable. Design and initial realization of a system are described.