Calculating with light using a chip-scale all-optical abacus. Issue 1 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feldmann, J.; Stegmaier, M.; Gruhler, N.; Ríos, C.; Bhaskaran, H.; Wright, C.; Pernice, W.
• Is Part Of: Nature communications. Volume 8:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Biology -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01506-3
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-1723

Abstract

Abstract Machines that simultaneously process and store multistate data at one and the same location can provide a new class of fast, powerful and efficient general-purpose computers. We demonstrate the central element of an all-optical calculator, a photonic abacus, which provides multistate compute-and-store operation by integrating functional phase-change materials with nanophotonic chips. With picosecond optical pulses we perform the fundamental arithmetic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, including a carryover into multiple cells. This basic processing unit is embedded into a scalable phase-change photonic network and addressed optically through a two-pulse random access scheme. Our framework provides first steps towards light-based non-von Neumann arithmetic. Computing approaches in the optical domain would allow for ultra-fast signaling and ultra-high bandwidth capabilities. Here, Feldmann et al. demonstrate a photonic abacus, which provides multistate compute-and store operation by integrating phase-change materials with nanophotonic chips.