OPTICAL LATERAL INHIBITION NETWORKS THAT USE SELF-LINEARIZED SELF-ELECTRO-OPTIC-EFFECT DEVICES - THEORY AND EXPERIMENT

The self-linearized self-electro-optic-effect-device (SL-SEED) phenome non observed with a quantum-well modulator and photodiode serial combi nation is one of the few practical routes to optical subtraction. A fa mily of optical lateral inhibition architectures based on the SL-SEED that incorporate optical feedback is introduced and their operation co nfirmed in simulation. A successful experimental demonstration based o n these ideas, performing edge-contrast enhancement by lateral inhibit ion, is described. System interconnections are both optical and electr ical, with nonlocal interconnections being made optically by the use o f diffractive elements.