Optical Adder Using 2 Lasers & Selectable Intensities

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of using two lasers with selectable light intensities to create an optical adder, where the intensities correspond to decimal numbers. Participants explore the feasibility of this idea, the challenges of achieving fully optical computing, and the materials required for such technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes using two lasers with selectable intensities to represent decimal numbers, suggesting that shining them on a photodetector could yield a measurable current corresponding to their sum.
  • Another participant points out that the photodetector is not purely optical, as it must convert the optical signal into an electronic one.
  • A different participant mentions the desire for a fully optical detector, which would require advanced technology for optical memory with read and write capabilities, indicating that this is a complex challenge.
  • There is a question raised about who "they" refers to in the context of scientists pursuing fully optical computing, with a suggestion that fully optical elements could enhance speed in specialized systems.
  • One participant inquires about the primary obstacles to achieving full optical computing, speculating that material limitations for manipulating light with light are a significant factor, despite the existence of demonstrated technologies like optical transistors and amplifiers.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the technologies in question rely on some form of light manipulation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of the proposed optical adder and the challenges of fully optical computing. There is no consensus on the specific obstacles or the current state of technology in this area.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for materials capable of manipulating light, but the discussion does not resolve the specific limitations or requirements for achieving fully optical systems.

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If we use 2 lasers with selectable light intensities as input, with each level of intensity corresponding to decimal number.
Like
level 0 intensity - decimal 0 (MIN)
level 1 intensity - decimal 1
level 2 intensity - decimal 2
...
level 9 intensity - decimal 9 (MAX)

and directly shine both of them over photo detector, there intensities will add up to produce sum. thus we can measure the current from photo detector to see what number is it.
we can also use laser of other frequencies to implement parallelism.

I know this solution is simple but I don't get it why won't it work either.
 
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The photodetector is not optical, you have to extract an electronic signal from it.
 
So they also want detector to be fully optical, that means output to be pure light and that means all optical memory with read and write capabilities.
That thing would be difficult to make.
 
Who is "they"? Fully optical elements would allow some things to be faster in some specialized systems.
 
they means the scientists. One question though what is the bone of contention in realizing full optical computing ?
is it the material which is lacking to manipulate light with light. from what I have googled most say it is the material, while these things (optical transistor, the read/write capable memory, the all optical amplifiers, optical buffers) have already been demonstrated.
 
All those things rely on manipulating light with light in some way.
 

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