This Phase I project assesses the feasibility of developing an optical computer memory module, in the petabit (IOI-)) to exabit (101 bit) range, based on use of photon echo phenomena. It will produce a "baseline" of information suitable to initiate a Phase II program aimed at developing a demonstration model of a 3-dimensional Photon Echo Memory (PEM) with a capacity of 1011-10'j bits. Phase I results will include an update of photon echo phenomenology research and a survey of the state-of-the-art in optical and electronic components as they relate to PEM development beyond the proof-of-principle already established.Analytic research to support design of a demonstration PEM, including selection of memory material and device components, will be conducted as well. A Phase III R&D program will then produce advanced developmental and engineering design models of a I bit module, as well as specifications for value engineering, systems integration, and pre-production prototype and complete specifications for production models.A high capacity PEM could effectively be integrated into computers of current design. More importantly it appears to be the only random access memory with a capacity potential sufficient to realize the computer capabilities expected from ongoing R&D in Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits, Very High Speed Integrated Circuits, and optical switching.The most significant applicable result will be the virtual elimination of memory capacity as a limitation on computer system capabilities. Applications which will especially benefit from the Photon Echo Memory include: artificial intelligence, robotics, pattern recognition, analysis of environmental data, simulation of complex economic and physical systems (as in medical research, nuclear energy and energy distribution systems) geosciences, nuclear/atomic research, voice analysis, and image processing.Division of Research Resources
