Optical Computing

Powerful shrinking technique could enable devices that compute with light

Pixelated BIC metasurfaces for terahertz integrated sensing and imaging

Researchers propose a novel THz metasurface-enabled platform for integrated sensing and imaging, overcoming limitations of slow sequential data acquisition. The system achieves 100% binary image reconstruction with nanosecond-scale accuracy, enabling real-time applications in security, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical sectors.

A clear roadmap for engineering combs of light

Engineers at Harvard create microcombs on photonic chips, enabling compact, programmable frequency combs for precision measurement and telecommunications applications. The breakthrough makes electro-optic microcombs more practical, energy efficient, and diverse.

A new method for training optical neural networks based on Pavlov’s experiment

A research team has pioneered a novel optical neural network that physically 'learns' through associative light exposure, eliminating the need for traditional computing algorithms. The system successfully recognized letters and demonstrated capability in handwritten digit recognition.

Could light-powered computers reduce AI’s energy use?

A new prototype device accelerates and reduces energy cost of AI computation by encoding data into light patterns, enabling faster and more efficient processing. This innovation aims to ease the energy bottleneck in AI technology, making it more sustainable and accessible for various applications.

Fiber neural networks for the intelligent optical fiber communication signal processing

A fiber neural network, proposed by Tsinghua University, processes information entirely within the optical domain, reducing latency and power consumption. The system achieved 100% classification accuracy in modulation format recognition and demonstrated robustness against noise, paving the way for real-world deployment.

From light to logic

McMaster and Pittsburgh researchers have developed a soft material that can perform a NAND logic operation using only three beams of visible light. The breakthrough paves the way for autonomous systems with computation capabilities without traditional electronics.

Beyond electronics: harnessing light for faster computing

Optical computing harnesses light to accelerate feature extraction in AI applications. The new system, OFE2, achieves a 12.5 GHz operating rate and 250.5 ps latency, outperforming traditional digital processors.

Stowers Institute appoints first AI Fellow to help advance biological research with artificial intelligence

The Stowers Institute has appointed its first AI Fellow, Sumner Magruder, to harness the potential of artificial intelligence in biological research. He will collaborate with researchers to design new algorithms and unlock insights from large datasets.

The playbook for perfect polaritons

Researchers at Columbia University have identified the rules for creating perfect polaritons, which are hybrid quasiparticles combining light and matter. The guiding rules include large optical absorption, low disorder, and inherent exciton delocalization, enabling polaritons to preserve coherence despite strong interactions and disorder.

Denmark can now contribute to producing world-class chips

The POEM Technology Center in Denmark will produce advanced wafers for photonic chips, enabling the development of high-speed communication and optical data processing. The facility will also facilitate the production of quantum chips, a key component in large-scale quantum computing.

Digital to analog in one smooth step

The new Harvard device can turn purely digital electronic inputs into analog optical signals at high speeds, addressing the bottleneck of computing and data interconnects. It has the potential to enable advances in microwave photonics and emerging optical computing approaches.

Neuromorphic devices and machine learning combine to make brain-like devices possible

Researchers are combining machine learning algorithms with neuromorphic hardware to build brain-like devices that can learn from data and adapt in real-time. These devices have the potential to revolutionize industries such as manufacturing by enabling machines to sense their environment, adapt to new tasks, and make decisions without ...

Exploring the evolution of decentralized networks in real-world systems

This book provides a beginner-friendly resource on the impact and evolution of decentralized networks, highlighting their applications in healthcare, supply chains, agriculture, climate monitoring, and education. The authors emphasize sustainability, data security, and ethical tech adoption.

A technological breakthrough for ultra-fast and greener AI

Researchers from Université Laval designed an ultra-fast and greener optical chip that can transfer massive amounts of data at speeds of 1,000 gigabits per second while reducing energy consumption. This innovation uses the phase of light to add a new dimension to the signal, reaching unprecedented performance levels.

Boson sampling finds first practical applications in quantum AI

Researchers from OIST develop new quantum AI method for image recognition based on boson sampling, achieving highly accurate results without complex training. The approach uses a linear optical network and preserves information, outperforming classical methods in various datasets.

Aston University researchers develop new class of ultralow loss tuneable optical microresonators

Researchers at Aston University have developed a new class of ultralow loss optical microresonators that can be widely tunable and precisely controlled. The devices, formed at the intersection of two optical fibers, hold potential applications in communication, computing, sensing and more.

U of A researchers developing world's first petahertz-speed phototransistor in ambient conditions

Researchers at U of A create a transistor that operates at speeds over 1,000 times faster than modern computer chips. The breakthrough uses quantum effects to manipulate electrons in graphene, enabling ultrafast processing for applications in space research, chemistry, and healthcare.

Twisted crystals open door to smaller, more powerful optical devices

Researchers have developed an on-chip twisted moiré photonic crystal sensor that can simultaneously measure wavelength, polarization, and perform hyperspectral imaging. The device uses MEMS technology to control the twist and distance between layers in real time.

A multimodal light manipulator

Researchers at Harvard created a new type of interferometer that can modulate aspects of light in one compact package, enabling precise control over light's frequency and intensity. This breakthrough has the potential to be used in advanced nanophotonic sensors or on-chip quantum computing.

New photon-avalanching nanoparticles could enable next-generation optical computers

Researchers developed new photon avalanching nanoparticles that exhibit high nonlinearities, overcoming challenges in realizing intrinsic optical bistability at the nanoscale. The breakthrough paves the way for fabricating optical memory and transistors on a nanometer scale comparable to current microelectronics.

A new optical memory platform for super fast calculations

Researchers developed a groundbreaking photonic platform to overcome limitations in in-memory computing, enabling faster calculations and greater efficiency. The innovative magneto-optical memories consume about one-tenth the power of traditional electronics and can be rewritten billions of times.

Macroscopic oscillators move as one at the quantum level

Scientists successfully prepared six mechanical oscillators in a collective state, observing phenomena that emerge when oscillators act as a group. The research demonstrates experimental confirmation of theories about collective quantum behavior, opening new possibilities for quantum sensing and generation of multi-partite entanglement.

Large-scale programmable logic array achieves complex computations

Researchers developed a large-scale optical programmable logic array that can execute complex models like Conway's Game of Life, marking a significant advancement in optical computing. The array uses parallel spectrum modulation to achieve an 8-input system, significantly expanding the capabilities of optical logic operations.

Solving computationally hard problems with 3D integrated photonics

Researchers have developed a reconfigurable three-dimensional integrated photonic processor specifically designed to tackle the subset sum problem, a classic NP-complete challenge. The processor operates by allowing photons in a light beam to explore all possible paths simultaneously, providing answers in parallel and demonstrating hig...

A multi-level breakthrough in optical computing

Researchers from Pitt, UC Santa Barbara, University of Cagliari, and Institute of Science Tokyo have developed a new method for photonic in-memory computing that combines non-volatility, multibit storage, high switching speed, low switching energy, and high endurance in a single platform.

3D printing method could enable better micro energy storage

Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a novel 3D printing method to fabricate glass micro-supercapacitors with enhanced performance. The approach utilizes ultrashort laser pulses to create electrodes with increased surface area and rapid ion transport, leading to improved energy storage capabilities.

Paralleled and multiplexed all-optical logic operation

Researchers developed a novel optical computation architecture called diffraction casting, which leverages spatial parallelism of light to perform computations. This method overcomes limitations of previous techniques by using wave optics, enabling scalable and parallel logic operations with high flexibility and integration capability.

Logic with light

Researchers at the University of Tokyo introduce a new optical computing scheme called diffraction casting, which improves upon existing methods. The system uses light waves to perform logic operations and has shown promise in running complex calculations, including those used in machine learning.

Multiplexed neuron sets make smaller optical neural networks possible

Researchers developed a structure called multiplexed neuron sets to reduce crosstalk in optical neural networks. The new backpropagation training algorithm achieved comparable performance while improving energy efficiency by a factor of 10.

Photonic computation with sound waves

A research team has successfully created a new dimension in photonic machine learning by incorporating sound waves, enabling the creation of reconfigurable neuromorphic building blocks. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize computing tasks by providing high-speed and large-capacity solutions.

Optical computing boost with diffractive network advance

Researchers extend spatially incoherent diffractive networks to perform complex-valued linear transformations with negligible error, opening up new applications in fields like autonomous vehicles. This breakthrough enables the encryption and decryption of complex-valued images using spatially incoherent diffractive networks.

Solid-state qubits: Forget about being clean, embrace mess

Researchers at Paul Scherrer Institute created solid-state qubits from rare-earth ions in a crystal, showing that long coherences can exist in cluttered environments. The approach uses strongly interacting pairs of ions to form qubits, which are shielded from the environment and protected from decoherence.

Orbital-angular-momentum-encoded diffractive networks for object classification tasks

Researchers developed three diffractive deep neural networks using orbital angular momentum to recognize objects in images, achieving accuracy comparable to wavelength and polarization-based models. The technology has potential for real-time processing applications like image recognition and data-intensive tasks.

Precise control of photonic angular momentum

The development of a new photonic technique enables the precise control of photonic angular momentum, allowing for the efficient recognition and real-time control of total angular momentum modes. The technique, which involves the symmetrical cascading of two units, has been experimentally demonstrated to recognize up to 42 individual T...

Simplified optical neural network component saves space and energy

Researchers designed a simplified Mach-Zehnder interferometer mesh for real-valued matrix-vector multiplication, reducing hardware requirements and energy consumption. The new mesh detects incoherent light and is scalable, making it suitable for large-scale optical neural networks.

Exploiting nonlinear scattering medium for optical encryption, computation, and machine learning

Researchers have discovered a way to utilize nonlinear scattering media for optical computing and machine learning. They created a novel theoretical framework involving third-order tensors, which can represent the complex relationships between input and output signals. This breakthrough has potential applications in real-world settings...

Harnessing the power of light: Advancements in photonic memory for faster optical computing

A breakthrough in photonic memory has been achieved, enabling fast volatile modulation and nonvolatile weight storage for rapid training of optical neural networks. The 5-bit photonic memory utilizes a low-loss PCM antimonite to achieve rapid response times and energy-efficient processing.

Light-based computing scheme reduces power needed to mine cryptocurrencies

Researchers developed a new photonic blockchain called LightHash that uses a silicon photonics chip to reduce energy consumption in cryptocurrency mining. The approach could enable low-energy optical computing, reducing data centers' energy consumption and paving the way for more eco-friendly cryptocurrencies.

New approach to developing efficient, high-precision 3D light shapers

Scientists create a simple approach to fabricating highly precise 3D aperiodic photonic volume elements (APVEs) for various applications. The method uses direct laser writing to arrange voxels of specific refractive indices in glass, enabling the precise control of light flow and achieving record-high diffraction efficiency.

Optical switching at record speeds opens door for ultrafast, light-based electronics and computers

Researchers achieved optical switching of a light signal at attosecond speeds, exceeding data transfer speeds by 1 million times. This breakthrough enables the development of ultrafast optical electronics and could increase data processing speed in long-distance communications.

Optical computing for object classification through diffusive random media

Diffractive deep neural networks enable objects to be classified through unknown random diffusers, offering high speed, parallelism and low power consumption. The single-pixel broadband diffractive network achieved a blind testing accuracy of 87.74% in recognizing handwritten digits.

Deep-learning-designed diffractive processor computes hundreds of transformations in parallel

Researchers have developed a diffractive optical processor that can compute hundreds of transformations in parallel using wavelength multiplexing. The processor, which is powered by light instead of electricity, can execute multiple complex functions simultaneously at the speed of light.

New optical computing approach offers ultrafast processing

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a new optical computing approach that uses circularly polarized light to operate logic gates, resulting in ultrafast processing speeds. The technology operates about one million times faster than existing technologies and can be integrated into a single device.

Changing the color of quantum light on an integrated chip

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed an integrated electro-optic modulator that can efficiently change the frequency and bandwidth of single photons on a chip. This device could be used for more advanced quantum computing and quantum networks.

An on-chip time-lens generates ultrafast pulses

Harvard scientists create a high-performance on-chip femtosecond pulse source using a time lens, enabling broadband, high-intensity pulse sources. The device is highly tunable, integrated onto a small chip and requires reduced power compared to traditional table-top systems.

New on-chip frequency comb is 100x more efficient

A team from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has developed an electro-optic frequency comb that is 100-times more efficient and has more than twice the bandwidth of previous state-of-the-art versions.

Next-generation data centers within reach thanks to new energy-efficient switches

Researchers have designed an energy-efficient silicon-based non-volatile switch that manipulates light to control information flow in data centers. This technology reduces energy needs by 70-fold compared to traditional switches, making data centers more environmentally friendly.

Diamonds are for quantum sensing

A team of researchers at the University of Tsukuba has developed a new method for measuring tiny changes in magnetic fields using nitrogen-vacancy defects in diamonds. This breakthrough could lead to more accurate quantum sensors and spintronic computers, enabling precise monitoring of temperature, magnetic, and electric fields.

A novel all-optical switching method makes optical computing and communication systems more power-efficient

A novel all-optical switching method has been developed to make optical computing and communication systems more power-efficient. The method utilizes the quantum optical phenomenon of Enhancement of Index of Refraction (EIR) to achieve ultrafast switching times, ultralow threshold control power, and high switching efficiency.

New nanomechanical oscillators with record-low loss

Scientists have created nanomechanical resonators with extremely high quality factors using a regular polygon design, leading to compact devices for sensing weak forces. The new design allows for precision force sensing with sensitivity approaching state-of-the-art atomic force microscopes.

Harnessing the powers of light to operate computers

Scientists at the University of Tsukuba have created a nanocavity in a waveguide that selectively modifies short light pulses, enabling the development of ultrafast optical pulse shaping. This breakthrough may lead to the creation of new all-optical computers that operate based on light.

Research team makes breakthrough discovery in light interactions with nanoparticles, paving the way for advances in optical computing

A research team at CUNY ASRC made a breakthrough discovery in nanomaterials and light-wave interactions that enables small, low-energy optical computers capable of advanced computing. The discovery demonstrates unprecedented speeds and nearly zero energy demands for solving complex mathematical problems.

Harnessing noise in optical computing for AI

A team at the University of Washington has created an optical computing system that not only reduces noise but also utilizes it to improve creative output. The system uses a Generative Adversarial Network and demonstrates the viability of this technology at a large scale.

Shifting colors for on-chip photonics

On-chip frequency shifters in the gigahertz range enable precise color shifting for high-speed optical communication. This innovation has significant implications for the development of quantum computers and future network infrastructure.

Ultrafast optical switching can save overwhelmed datacenters

Researchers have demonstrated ultrafast optical circuit switching for datacenters using integrated soliton microcombs, which can handle increasing bursty datacenter applications while reducing overheads. The proposed architecture employs a central comb system to improve power efficiency and reduce complexity.

Optically generated quantum fluids of light reveal exotic matter-wave states in condensed matter physics

Scientists from Skoltech and the University of Southampton created an all-optical lattice that houses polaritons, quasiparticles with half-light and half-matter properties. They demonstrated breakthrough results for condensed matter physics and flatband engineering.

Diffractive networks light the way for optical image classification

Researchers at UCLA have developed Diffractive Deep Neural Networks (D2NNs) for all-optical object classification, achieving higher accuracy than individual constituent D2NNs and digital AI models. The success of the ensemble learning approach demonstrates the power of combining multiple predictions to obtain a more accurate prediction.

Accelerating AI computing to the speed of light

A team of researchers has developed an optical computing core prototype using phase-change material, accelerating neural networks and reducing energy consumption for AI applications. The technology is scalable and directly applicable to cloud computing, making it a promising solution for the growing demands of AI online.

A nanoscale laser made of gold and zinc oxide

Researchers have created a nanoscale laser made of gold and zinc oxide, which can precisely localize and amplify incident laser light. The hybrid nanomaterial has the potential to be used as ultrafast optical switches or transistors in future optical computers.