A single inverse-designed photonic structure that performs parallel computing

Abstract

In the search for improved computational capabilities, conventional microelectronic computers are facing various problems arising from the miniaturization and concentration of active electronics. Therefore, researchers have explored wave systems, such as photonic or quantum devices, for solving mathematical problems at higher speeds and larger capacities. However, previous devices have not fully exploited the linearity of the wave equation, which as we show here, allows for the simultaneous parallel solution of several independent mathematical problems within the same device. Here we demonstrate that a transmissive cavity filled with a judiciously tailored dielectric distribution and embedded in a multi-frequency feedback loop can calculate the solutions of a number of mathematical problems simultaneously. We design, build, and test a computing structure at microwave frequencies that solves two independent integral equations with any two arbitrary inputs and also provide numerical results for the calculation of the inverse of four 5 x 5 matrices.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Mar 05, 2021
Source ID
10.1038/s41467-021-21664-9

Entities

People

  • Brian Edwards
  • Miguel Camacho
  • Nader Engheta

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research

Tags

Readers

  • Applied Combinatorial Optimization and Logic Circuit Design.
  • Electromagnetic Wave Scattering and Antenna Radiation Engineering
  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Quantum Computing