Parallel Processing Paradigms And Optical Computing

Parallel processing models as computational paradigms are discussed and related to optical computing. Two classes of parallel computing models are discussed - shared memory models and graph/network models. These models are used to analyze some of the possible effects of optical technology on parallel computing. It is found that the use of optics potentially provides certain fundamental advantages. In addition, some factors that limit the communication capabilities of optical systems in the case of network models are found.