Breakthrough optical processor lets AI compute at the speed of light

Modern artificial intelligence (AI) systems, from robotic surgery to high-frequency trading, rely on processing streams of raw data in real time. Extracting important features quickly is critical, but conventional digital processors are hitting physical limits. Traditional electronics can no longer reduce latency or increase throughput enough to keep up with today's data-heavy applications.

Turning to Light for Faster Computing

Researchers are now looking to light as a solution. Optical computing -- using light instead of electricity to handle complex calculations -- offers a way to dramatically boost speed and efficiency. One promising approach involves optical diffraction operators, thin plate-like structures that perform mathematical operations as light passes through them. These systems can process many signals at once with low energy ...