Optical Interconnections and Parallel Processing: Trends at the Interface

Optical media are now widely used in the telecommunication networks, and the evolution of optical and optoelectronic technologies tends to show that their wide range of techniques could be successfully introduced in shorter-distance interconnection systems. This text aims to bridge the existing gap between research in optical interconnects and research in high-performance computing and communication systems, of which parallel processing is just an example. It also provides an understanding of the advantages and limitations of optics as applied to high-speed communications.