Holographic optical interconnect elements in an FFT processor

This paper discusses the use of diffractive optical elements for optical interconnection in digital computers. The demonstration of these elements, called holographic optical interconnect elements (HOIEs), in an FFT processor is described from three perspectives: system architecture, major enabling technology (smart pixel arrays and HOIEs), and component and system packaging. The FFT processor is based on free-space optical interconnects between a pair of smart pixel arrays, thereby using the advantages of free-space optics to realize the global connectivity requirements of the FFT algorithm. An emphasis is placed on the computer generated holographic elements that establish the free-space paths between the smart pixel arrays.