Performing photonic nonlinear computations by linear operations in a high-dimensional space

As photonic linear computations are diverse and easy to realize while photonic nonlinear computations are relatively limited and difficult, we propose a novel way to perform photonic nonlinear computations by linear operations in a high-dimensional space, which can achieve many nonlinear functions d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nanophotonics
Main Authors: Zhang Wenkai, Gu Wentao, Cheng Junwei, Huang Dongmei, Cheng Zihao, Wai Ping-kong Alexander, Zhou Hailong, Dong Jianji, Zhang Xinliang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: De Gruyter 2023-06-01
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1515/nanoph-2023-0234
Description
Summary:As photonic linear computations are diverse and easy to realize while photonic nonlinear computations are relatively limited and difficult, we propose a novel way to perform photonic nonlinear computations by linear operations in a high-dimensional space, which can achieve many nonlinear functions different from existing optical methods. As a practical application, the arbitrary binary nonlinear computations between two Boolean signals are demonstrated to implement a programmable logic array. In the experiment, by programming the high-dimensional photonic matrix multiplier, we execute fourteen different logic operations with only one fixed nonlinear operation. Then the combined logic functions of half-adder and comparator are demonstrated at 10 Gbit/s. Compared with current methods, the proposed scheme simplifies the devices and the nonlinear operations for programmable logic computing. More importantly, nonlinear realization assisted by space transformation offers a new solution for optical digital computing and enriches the diversity of photonic nonlinear computing.
ISSN:2192-8614