The major thrust of this book is the realisation of an all optical computer. To that end it discusses optoelectronic devices and applications, transmission systems, integrated optoelectronic systems and, of course, all optical computers. The chapters on heterostructure light emitting devices' quantum well carrier transport optoelectronic devices' present the most recent advances in device physics, together with modern devices and their applications. The chapter on microcavity lasers' is essential to the discussion of present and future developments in solid-state laser physics and technology and puts into perspective the present state of research into and the technology of optoelectronic devices, within the context of their use in advanced systems. A significant part of the book deals with problems of propagation in quantum structures. soliton-based switching, gating and transmission systems' presents the basics of controlling the propagation of photons in solids and the use of this control in devices. The chapters on optoelectronic processing using smart pixels' and all optical computers' are preceded by introductory material in fundamentals of quantum structures for optoelectronic devices and systems' and linear and nonlinear absorption and reflection in quantum well structures'. It is clear that new architectures will be necessary if we are to fully utilise the potentiality of electrooptic devices in computing, but even current architectures and structures demonstrate the feasibility of the all optical computer: one that is possible today.

This volume on Advanced Electronic Technologies and Systems based on Low Dimensional Quantum Devices closes a three years series of NATO -AS ' s. The first year was focused on the fundamental properties and applications. The second year was devoted to Devices Based on Low-Dimensional Semiconductor Structures. The third year is covering Systems Based on Low-Dimensional Quantum Semiconductor Devices. The three volumes containing the lectures given at the three successive NATO -ASI's constitute a complete review on the latest advances in semiconductor Science and Technology from the methods of fabrication of the quantum structures through the fundamental physics am basic knowledge of properties and projection of performances to the technology of devices and systems. In the first volume: " Fabrication, Properties and Application of Low Dimensional Semiconductors" are described the practical ways in which quantum structures are produced, the present status of the technology, difficulties encountered, and advances to be expected. The basic theory of Quantum Wells, Double Quantum Wells and Superlattices is introduced and the fundamental aspects of their optical properties are presented. The effect of reduction of dimensionality on lattice dynamics of quantum structures is also discussed. In the second volume: " Devices Based on Low Dimensional Structures" the fundamentals of quantum structures and devices in the two major fields: Electro-Optical Devices and Pseudomorphic High Eectron Mobility Transistors are extensively discussed."