Tantalus and Optical Computing

Abstract

The ancient Greek, Tantalus, had a problem that is similar to that of some optical computing and signal processor researchers. As a punishment by the Greek gods, Tantalus was placed in a lake with water up to his waist. Fruit was on branches just above his head. However, when he leaned over to drink, or reached up to eat, the water receded just beyond reach and the fruit evaded his grasp. Hence, he was doomed to never obtaining what seemed so close. I do not know what deed was done by the optics researchers that deserves similar punishment (I have some ideas.), but some of the anticipated results and applications of optics to computing seem to be always just barely beyond reach.