Method and apparatus for making a device for optically interconnecting

Abstract

Method and apparatus for making a plurality (100) of reflection holograms (101-109) positioned in a two-dimensional array to interconnect optically a plurality (120) of optically nonlinear optical devices (121-129) also positioned in a two-dimensional array. The devices are operated to function as optical logic NOR gates, and the reflection holograms optically interconnect the devices to form any desired optical logic circuit such as a clocked JK sequential logic flip-flop circuit. The reflection holograms are made by affixing the devices and a photosensitive material (500) to the opposite surfaces of a layer of transparent material (505). The transparent material maintains the positions of the devices relative to the photosensitive material both before and after the holograms is made. Spatial light modulator masks (501,502) are temporarily placed over the outside surfaces of the photosensitive material and the devices to mask all but selected areas of the photosensitive material and designated devices from being illuminated by coherent light beams. A series of beam splitters (521,524) and mirrors (523,525,552) direct a first coherent light beam through the photosensitive material to a light emitting device and an individual coherent light beam from each one of the designated receiving devices to interfere with the first coherent light beam in the photosensitive material. The interfering coherent light beams form optical fringe patterns that will originate individual interconnecting light beams to the designated receiving devices in response to an interconnecting light beam from the emitting device. This process is repeated for each light emitting device in the array to optically interconnect the devices as desired. The optical fringe patterns are stored in the photosensitive material by removing the masks and developing the photosensitive material.