Realization of associative memory with the aid of a nonlinear selective stimulated-Brillouin-scattering mirror

An associative memory using only optical elements has been realized experimentally. The key element of the arrangement is a stimulated-Brillouin-scattering (SBS) selector consisting of a short SBS medium at the focus of a lens. The qualitative advantage of the selector over an SBS mirror is demonstrated experimentally. The response time of the arrangement is ~ 10^–8 s and is determined by the duration of the SBS. Estimates show that the SBS selector is capable in practice of distinguishing a signal against background noise when the initial distortion level of the object beam is 10^–3. Reliable operation of the SBS selector has been demonstrated for radiative and energy loads reaching 2 GW/cm² and 2 J, respectively.