Optical implementation of associative memory with controlled nonlinearity in the correlation domain

A mathematical model for incorporating controllable nonlinearity in the correlation domain of a conventional associative memory is described. Such a mechanism provides the flexibility of rapidly and arbitrarily changing the strengths of the stored states in an associative memory. Such a feature corresponds to shifting of attention in psychological terms. This attentive associative memory can be implemented optically. Results obtained with computer simulation and a design for a compact optical implementation are discussed.