A processor unit can be used to rapidly search a string of characters. The processor unit can include vector registers each having M vector elements, each vector element having n bits of data for containing an encoded character. An M×M matrix of comparators within the processor unit can be used to compare elements of a first register storing a reference string and elements of a second register storing a target string. A logic gate is associated with each diagonal of the matrix of comparators, and is configured to combine the results of comparators along the diagonal, resulting in a bit vector indicating characters of the target string that fully match the reference string and characters that partially match the reference string. Correction logic within the processor unit can suppress indications of a partial match or of a full match in the bit vector.