Large-scale Multicore Smart Photonics: Using advanced design and configuration protocols to develop the largest-scale programmable photonic processor

Introduction

Emerging communications and computing fields are pushing the limits of integrated electronics, demanding growing performance and requiring a symbiotic collaboration with integrated photonics. The development of multipurpose programmable photonic integrated circuits promises cost-effective mass production and the system versatility required in novel dynamic processing scenarios. However, their scalability is a major challenge constrained both by hardware and software.

Challenges and Solutions

To unleash the potential of programmable photonics, it is essential to create novel circuits and components as well as to redefine its fundamentals. Multicore architectures are a potential unexplored solution offering scalability, multitasking, and parallelization, but key technology enablers are required to transition to practical large-scale applications.

Project Aim

The aim of this project is to develop the theoretical and technological fundamentals of programmable integrated photonics to unlock their limited scale by developing the first large-scale multicore programmable photonic processor and its application as a complex-valued neuromorphic computer.

Methodology

To achieve this aim, we will:

1. Identify the main scalability limits, advanced photonic circuit architectures, and component development solutions for large-scale programmable photonic circuits.
2. Develop a functional single-core programmable photonic processor with more than 2500 phase actuators.
3. Demonstrate large-scale complex-valued coherent neuromorphic circuits.
4. Develop a functional 4-core programmable photonic processor with more than 10,000 actuators and demonstrate its experimental application to photonic neuromorphic systems.

Impact

LS-PHOTONICS will have a major impact on high-density integrated photonics circuits by facilitating a new paradigm of general-purpose/application, advanced photonic computing, and ready-to-use and flexible devices that will extend the penetration of advanced photonics technology into seamless areas of application.