A polynomial evaluator utilizing a pipelined architecture has been constructed and tested. Some notable features of this processor are its unusual design its speed in polynomial evaluation and its ability to rapidly compute the zeros of polynomials. This optical computer utilizes sequential processing by seven electrooptic gratings which perform alternate addition and multiplication functions in the pipeline. Its performance as a square-root processor and as a cubic polynomial evaluator are stressed. Characterization measurements upon the individual gratings and upon the processor as a system are presented. 1.