Systems and methods for utilizing photonic degrees of freedom in a photonic processor
Systems and methods for increasing throughput of a photonic processor by using photonic degrees of freedom (DOF) are provided. The photonic processor includes a multiplexer configured to multiplex, using at least one photonic DOF, multiple encoded optical signals into a multiplexed optical signal. The photonic processor also includes a detector coupled to an output of an optical path including the multiplexer, the detector being configured to generate a first current based on the multiplexed optical signal or a demultiplexed portion of the multiplexed optical signal. The photonic processor further includes a modulator coupled to and output of the detector, the modulator being configured to generate a second current by modulating the first current.
1. A photonic processor, comprising:
a device configured to perform matrix-matrix multiplication, comprising:
a multiplexer configured to multiplex, using at least one photonic degree of freedom, multiple encoded optical signals into a multiplexed optical signal;
a detector coupled to an output of an optical path including the multiplexer, wherein the detector is configured to generate a first current based on the multiplexed optical signal; and
a modulator coupled to an output of the detector and configured to generate a second current by modulating the first current, wherein the second current is representative of a portion of a result of the matrix-matrix multiplication.
2. The photonic processor of claim 1 , wherein the at least one photonic degree of freedom is one of a selection of wavelength, frequency, or polarization.
3. The photonic processor of claim 1 , further comprising a demultiplexer configured to demultiplex the multiplexed optical signal.
4. The photonic processor of claim 3 , wherein the multiplexer is configured to multiplex in an optical domain and the demultiplexer is configured to demultiplex in the optical domain.
5. The photonic processor of claim 1 , further comprising a demultiplexer configured to demultiplex the second current.
6. The photonic processor of claim 5 , wherein the multiplexer is configured to multiplex in an optical domain and the demultiplexer is configured to demultiplex in an RF domain.
7. The photonic processor of claim 1 , wherein the photonic processor is a dual rail photonic processor.
8. The photonic processor of claim 1 , wherein the photonic processor is single-ended.
9. The photonic processor of claim 1 , wherein performing matrix-matrix multiplication comprises performing matrix-vector multiplication.
10. The photonic processor of claim 1 , wherein the multiplexer, the detector and the modulator are disposed on a common semiconductor substrate.
11. A method for performing a mathematical operation, the method comprising:
performing matrix-matrix multiplication between a first matrix and a second matrix, wherein performing the matrix-matrix multiplication comprises:
obtaining first numeric values representing at least a portion of the first matrix and second numeric values representing at least a portion of the second matrix;
generating encoded optical signals by modifying input optical signals using the first numeric values;
multiplexing, using at least one photonic degree of freedom, the encoded optical signals to generate multiplexed optical signals;
generating first currents by detecting, using detectors, the multiplexed optical signals; and
generating second currents, using modulators and the first currents, by setting a characteristic of the modulators based on the second numeric values, wherein the second currents represent a portion of a result of the matrix-matrix multiplication; and
obtaining a result of the matrix-matrix multiplication using the second currents.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein multiplexing using at least one photonic degree of freedom comprises multiplexing using at least one of a selection of wavelength, frequency, or polarization.
13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising demultiplexing the multiplexed optical signals.
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising demultiplexing the second currents.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first matrix is a vector.
16. A photonic processor, comprising:
a device configured to perform matrix-matrix multiplication, comprising:
a multiplexer configured to multiplex, using at least one photonic degree of freedom, multiple encoded optical signals into a multiplexed optical signal;
a demultiplexer configured to demultiplex the multiplexed optical signal using the at least one photonic degree of freedom;
a detector coupled to an output of an optical path including the multiplexer, wherein the detector is configured to generate a first current based on the demultiplexed optical signal; and
a modulator coupled to an output of the detector and configured to generate a second current by modulating the first current, wherein the second current represents a portion of a result of the matrix-matrix multiplication.
17. The photonic processor of claim 16 , wherein the at least one photonic degree of freedom is one of a selection of wavelength, frequency, or polarization.
18. The photonic processor of claim 16 , wherein the photonic processor is a dual rail photonic processor.
19. The photonic processor of claim 16 , wherein performing matrix-matrix multiplication comprises performing matrix-vector multiplication.