Picosecond Integrated Optical Logic.

Optical logic is discussed here which is based on integrated optical wiring much like today's integrated circuits, except with possible operation down to subpicosecond times. High optical integration densities are obtained by first noting that, ironically, use of light with larger 10 micrometer wavelengths leads to much smaller optical components. Then a very strong effect, called the QWEST, is shown to exist in GaAs quantum wells and can interact with this infrared light with temperature tolerances in the 100's of Centigrade and time response into the subpicosecond. The fabrication of the optical computer discussed here is based on the very same Gallium Arsenide quantum well technology as the fast electronic logic being developed, but with higher speeds, room temperature operation, better immunity to impurities and defects, and larger 2 to 3 micrometer linewidths.