optog

Optog is a term used in several contexts to refer to systems that use light to perform processing or control tasks. It is not a formal standard and has no single, universal definition. In technical discussions, optog often denotes optical logic devices or protocols that use photons as carriers of information and micrometer-scale photonic switching elements. The concept is closely related to, but distinct from, optical computing and optoelectronics; optog emphasizes modular, gate-like or networked optical components.

Origin and usage: The word optog is a portmanteau of optical and logic, sometimes extended with -og as in other device names. The term appeared sporadically in 2010s technical blogs and conference notes and has since been used in speculative contexts about future photonic architectures.

Design and variants: Practical discussions describe optogs as light-driven logic gates, optical amplifiers acting as memory elements, or small photonic networks. Variants include the optog-core (the processing unit), optog-switch (a fast optical switch), and optog-net (a networked array of optogs). Implementations are largely experimental and rely on non-linear optical materials, integrated photonics, or plasmonic structures. Performance considerations are frequently cited in terms of speed, energy efficiency, integration density, and fabrication complexity.

Applications and outlook: Potential applications include high-speed data processing, low-heat computing cores, and on-chip signal routing. Research is exploratory, with attention to fabrication challenges and error rates. Critics point to the infancy of the field and questions about practicality versus electronic solutions.

See also: Optical computing, Photonics, Optoelectronics, Neuromorphic photonics.