title: Memory and neural networks on the basis of color centers in solids.
abstract: Optical data recording is one of the most widely used and efficient systems of memory in the non-living world. The application of color centers in this context offers not only systems of high speed in writing and read-out due to a high degree of parallelism in data handling but also a possibility to set up models of neural networks. In this way, systems with a high potential for image processing, pattern recognition and logical operations can be constructed. A limitation to storage density is given by the diffraction limit of optical data recording. It is shown that this limitation can at least in principle be overcome by the principle of spectral hole burning, which results in systems of storage capacities close to the human brain system.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials Science, Electronic Materials, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Albrecht
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Winnacker
authors.forename: Andres
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Osvet
mesh_terms: D003116:Color; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D008568:Memory; D009415:Nerve Net; D055620:Optical Phenomena; D011859:Radiography