All-Optical Computing Using the Zeno Effect

All-optical switching and logic elements could be at the forefront of next-generation computing and telecommunications systems, but only if a few key issues with the technology can be resolved. We have developed an approach based on the Zeno effect that could overcome two of the biggest challenges with this technology: the need for intense optical fields and excessive power dissipation. A key feature of our approach is the somewhat counterintuitive use of optical absorption to implement an ultra-low-loss switch. In this article, we summarize the fundamental principles of our approach and present promising theoretical results detailing the potential performance of these devices. We also describe our experimental approach to demonstrating this technology, which includes a diverse combination of microdevice development and spectroscopy experiments in atomic vapors.