Parallel N/sup 4/ weighted optical interconnections for artificial neural networks: mathematical formulation and fundamental limitations

Summary form only given, as follows. An optical parallel N/sup 4/ weighted optical interconnection network is analyzed mathematically and its limitations due to diffraction effects are evaluated. The network is based on holographic recording of the interconnection matrix and the presentation of the input data on a spatial light modulator. As an example, it is shown that one can obtain 2.5*10/sup 9/ weighted optical interconnections utilizing 10 cm*10 cm sizes of SLM and hologram array with a lens of 20 cm focal length. For this system, crosstalk due to diffraction limits the dynamic range to about 20 distinct detection levels. A substantial increase in the number of interconnections is possible for neural nets using neurons having a single decision threshold.<>