Light Fantastic

A dazzling optical computer is being developed by Japan's Agency of Industrial Science & Technology, Dainichiseika Colour & Chemicals, and JVC. In the computer, at least four light beams shine on prisms coated with light-sensitive organic crystals that route the beams. The crystals either reflect or transmit the beams onto another prism for further switching. Using multiple beams can generate a wide range of switched combinations to represent digital words or binary digits. This is faster than the electrical gates of conventional microprocessors. The patent number is EP 782 061. (whole item)