Topic List

Click a topic to learn more.


Term of the Moment

analog audio


Look Up Another Term


Definition: optical computer


A computer in which all internal circuits use light instead of electricity. Long predicted, an all-optical computer is not expected for some time as there are hurdles to overcome. However, there are definite advantages of optical circuits over electrical ones. Light beams are neither affected by external radiation, nor by themselves. In fact, light beams can cross each other, allowing for simpler travel paths between inputs and outputs. See all-optical network and photonic chip.