Lightwave Logic Inc (LWLG)

[buzlightwave]

I'll try Walter.

A modulator is also a switch, but all it does is "blink" a light beam on and off to encode a signal.... 00101100101010.... and a receiver at the other end decodes it. That's for telecom/data transmission.

An optical "switch" as discussed here is used to perform logic functions, and does not need to "blink" at the same rate as modulators do. Their primary function is to "route" the optical signal to different destinations (creating a circuit). This could be used in an optical computer where the transistors (electrical logic gates) are replaced with photonic "logic gates".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro-optic_modulator

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_switch

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logic_gate


Calling all photonics engineers, please feel free to correct my explanation above. :)