Technology.org March 5, 2020
Diffractive optical network is a recently introduced optical computing framework that merges wave optics with deep-learning methods to design optical neural networks. Previous diffractive approaches employed monochromatic coherent light as the illumination source. Researchers at UCLA designed a broadband diffractive optical neural network that simultaneously processes a continuum of wavelengths generated by a temporally incoherent broadband source to all-optically perform a specific task learned using deep learning. They fabricated and tested seven different multi-layer, diffractive optical systems that transform the optical wavefront generated by a broadband THz pulse to realize a series of tunable, single-passband and dual-passband spectral filters and spatially controlled wavelength de-multiplexing. The technology could one day make it possible to produce optical devices that can instantaneously recognize objects without additional computer processing. It could ultimately be useful for robots, autonomous vehicles and other applications…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
An optical neural network with specially designed translucent wafers that split light beams into various directions as they travel through it. Credit: Ozcan Research Group/UCLA