All-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-light-beam cavity field modulation, and implementation method therefor
By using a dual-beam cavity field modulated all-optical nonlinear activator, the complexity and power consumption problems of nonlinear activation functions in optical neural networks are solved, achieving low-power, high-speed nonlinear signal transmission and improving recognition accuracy.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- INST OF SEMICONDUCTORS - CHINESE ACAD OF SCI
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-09
AI Technical Summary
In existing optical neural networks, nonlinear activation functions rely on photo-electric-optical conversion methods, which increases system complexity, latency, and power consumption, and cannot support nonlinear modulation of high-speed optical signals.
An all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation is adopted. The optical field in the optical microcavity is nonlinearly modulated by a dual coherent beam carrying a phase difference, forming a nonlinear mapping between the intensity of the input light and the output light.
It achieves low power consumption and low nonlinearity generation threshold, supports high-speed signal transmission, improves the convergence speed of network training and inference, and enhances recognition accuracy.
Smart Images
Figure CN2025070762_09072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
All-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation and its generation method Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical computing technology, and in particular to an all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation and its generation method. Background Technology
[0002] Artificial intelligence algorithms with different architectures are composed of various basic computing units combined through diverse connection methods. Among them, the most commonly used basic operators include linear matrix calculations (matrix-vector multiplication), convolution calculations, nonlinear activation functions, and pooling. The proposal of optical computing and optical neural networks aims to use photons as physical carriers to construct the basic computing units in artificial intelligence algorithms, fully leveraging their characteristics of high speed, low power consumption, low latency, and high throughput, thereby realizing a next-generation intelligent computing architecture with high computing power and low power consumption.
[0003] Nonlinear activation functions are indispensable operators in artificial intelligence algorithms, enabling their wide application and accelerating the convergence speed of network training and inference, as well as improving recognition accuracy. For artificial intelligence algorithms without any nonlinear activation functions, even with multiple physical linear transformations, the result of multiple linear matrix multiplications is still a linear calculation process, and its effective computation is only equivalent to a single-layer linear matrix calculation. For all-optical computing and all-optical neural networks, the optical implementation of nonlinear activators is equally essential. However, in current research on optical neural network architectures, nonlinear functions typically rely on photoelectric-optical conversion methods. That is, after converting the optical signal into an electrical signal via a photodetector, it undergoes nonlinear mapping through devices such as a central processing unit, digital signal processing chips, and analog electronic circuits, before being reloaded onto an electro-optic modulator to achieve nonlinear modulation of the optical signal. This requires the additional introduction of digital-to-analog / analog-to-digital converters, photoelectric / electro-optic converters, and other peripheral driving circuits, which undoubtedly increases the system's complexity, latency, and power consumption. Furthermore, the data bandwidth remains limited by electronic components, making it impossible to support nonlinear modulation of high-speed optical signals. Therefore, how to achieve an all-optical nonlinear activator with low power consumption, low nonlinearity generation threshold, and support for high-speed signal transmission has become one of the most challenging problems in optical neural network research. Summary of the Invention
[0004] (a) Technical problems to be solved
[0005] To address the aforementioned problems with nonlinear functions in existing technologies, embodiments of this invention provide an all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation and its generation method. This method uses a dual-coherent beam carrying a phase difference to nonlinearly modulate the optical field within an optical microcavity or to nonlinearly modulate the transmission spectrum of the optical field within the microcavity, thereby forming a nonlinear mapping between the intensity of the input and output light, i.e., an optical-optical self-modulation process. This provides an effective nonlinear operator for all-optical computing, thereby accelerating the convergence speed of network training and inference, and improving the model's recognition accuracy in various applications.
[0006] (II) Technical Solution
[0007] In view of the above problems, embodiments of the present invention provide an all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation and a method for generating the same.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation is provided, comprising: an input end, an optical microcavity, and an output end, wherein the input end is used to provide an input beam; the optical microcavity is used to generate resonance, excite and enhance optical nonlinear effects; and the output end is used to output an optical signal after nonlinear modulation.
[0009] In some exemplary embodiments, the input beam enters the optical microcavity, generates a bicoherent beam within the optical microcavity, and is finally coupled into the output end.
[0010] In some exemplary embodiments, the beam splitter with adjustable splitting ratio and an optical phase shifter are further included, wherein the beam splitter with adjustable splitting ratio is used to split the input beam into a first coherent beam and a second coherent beam; the optical phase shifter is used to phase-modulate the first coherent beam to obtain a first modulated beam, wherein there is a phase difference between the first modulated beam and the second coherent beam.
[0011] In some exemplary embodiments, the first modulated beam and the second coherent beam enter the optical microcavity and are finally coupled into the output end.
[0012] In some exemplary embodiments, the system further includes an optical beam combiner, wherein the second coherent beam first enters the optical microcavity and then enters the optical beam combiner together with the first modulated beam, finally reaching the output end.
[0013] In some exemplary embodiments, at least one of the following features is included: the type of optical microcavity includes one of Fabry-Perot microcavity, photonic crystal microcavity, or whispering-gallery mode microcavity; the fabrication of the optical microcavity includes one of being based on an optoelectronic integration platform or based on high-temperature melting and cooling of tapered optical fibers; the structure of the optical microcavity includes one of being all-through or up-and-down channel type.
[0014] In some exemplary embodiments, the structure of the optical microcavity includes a single microcavity, multiple microcavities connected in series, multiple microcavities connected in parallel, or a microcavity embedded within a microcavity.
[0015] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for generating an all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation as described above is provided, characterized in that the method includes: feeding an input beam; performing nonlinear modulation on the input beam to obtain an output beam; detecting the output beam; and obtaining a nonlinear function based on the nonlinear mapping corresponding to the light intensities of the input beam and the output beam.
[0016] In some exemplary embodiments, nonlinear modulation of the input light includes: splitting the input beam into a first coherent beam and a second coherent beam using a beam splitter with an adjustable splitting ratio; modulating the first coherent beam with an optical phase shifter to obtain a first modulated beam, wherein there is a phase difference between the first modulated beam and the second coherent beam; the first modulated beam and the second coherent beam enter an optical microcavity and resonate to modulate the optical field within the cavity to obtain an output beam.
[0017] In some exemplary embodiments, nonlinear modulation of the input light includes: splitting the input beam into a first coherent beam and a second coherent beam using a beam splitter with an adjustable splitting ratio; modulating the first coherent beam by an optical phase shifter and modulating the intracavity optical field to obtain a first modulated beam, wherein there is a phase difference between the first modulated beam and the second coherent beam; and combining the second coherent beam with the first modulated beam at an optical beam combiner after the second coherent beam enters the optical microcavity and resonates to obtain an output beam.
[0018] In some exemplary embodiments, nonlinear modulation of the input light includes: the input beam enters an optical microcavity, generating a first beam and a second beam within the optical microcavity, wherein there is a phase difference between the first beam and the second beam; the first beam and the second beam resonate within the optical microcavity and modulate the optical field within the cavity to obtain an output beam.
[0019] In some exemplary embodiments, the type and parameters of the nonlinear function are related to the phase difference, the wavelength of the input beam and the resonant wavelength difference, and the structure of the optical microcavity.
[0020] (III) Beneficial Effects
[0021] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, the all-optical nonlinear activator and its generation method based on dual-beam cavity field modulation provided by the embodiments of the present invention have at least one of the following beneficial effects:
[0022] (1) It can nonlinearly modulate the optical field in the optical microcavity or nonlinearly modulate the transmission spectrum of the optical field in the optical microcavity through a dual coherent beam carrying a phase difference, thereby forming a nonlinear mapping between the intensity of the input light and the output light, i.e., the optical-optical self-modulation process.
[0023] (2) It can realize an all-optical nonlinear activator with low power consumption, low nonlinearity generation threshold and support for high signal transmission, providing an effective nonlinear operator for all-optical computing, thereby accelerating the convergence speed of network training and inference and improving the recognition accuracy of the model in different applications. Attached Figure Description
[0024] The above-described features, other objects, and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0025] Figure 1 schematically illustrates the structure of a first all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a flowchart of a first method for generating an all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] Figure 3 schematically illustrates the structure of a second all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a flowchart of a second method for generating an all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] Figure 5 schematically illustrates the structure of a third type of all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0030] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a flowchart of a third method for generating an all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] Reference numerals: 1-Input terminal; 2-Adjustable beam splitter; 3-Optical microcavity; 4-Optical phase shifter; 5-Optical beam combiner; 6-Output terminal. Detailed Implementation
[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.
[0033] Figure 1 schematically illustrates the structure of a first all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] As shown in Figure 1, a first all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an input end 1, an optical microcavity 3, and an output end 6, wherein the input end 1 is used to provide an input beam; the optical microcavity 3 is used to generate resonance, excite and enhance optical nonlinear effects; and the output end 6 is used to output an optical signal after nonlinear modulation.
[0035] In this embodiment of the invention, the input beam enters the optical microcavity 3, generates a bicoherent beam within the optical microcavity 3, and finally couples into the output terminal 6.
[0036] In some exemplary embodiments, the optical microcavity 3 includes one of a Fabry-Perot microcavity, a photonic crystal microcavity, or a whispering-gallery mode (WGM) microcavity. Fabry-Perot (FP) microcavities have advantages such as simple structure and ease of fabrication, making them suitable for basic resonance and enhancement of optical fields. Photonic crystal microcavities utilize the periodic structure of photonic crystals to achieve precise control of the optical field, exhibiting a high quality factor and small mode volume. Whispering-gallery mode (WGM) microcavities utilize the principle of total internal reflection to form stable resonant modes on the inner wall of the microcavity, exhibiting a high Q value and narrow linewidth.
[0037] The fabrication processes for optical microcavities 3 are diverse. They can be implemented on optoelectronic integration platforms, such as silicon-based platforms, silicon nitride platforms, or silicon dioxide platforms on insulating substrates; or they can be formed by high-temperature melting and cooling of tapered optical fibers. These fabrication processes enable optical microcavities 3 to be flexibly integrated into various optical systems.
[0038] Furthermore, the structural design of the optical microcavity 3 is highly flexible. It can be constructed directly from a single microcavity to achieve simple optical field manipulation; it can also be constructed from multiple microcavities connected in series or parallel to achieve more complex optical field manipulation and enhancement effects; and it can even adopt a nested structure of microcavities embedded within microcavities to further expand its functions and application range. A single optical microcavity 3 structure can be an all-through type, i.e., a single-input single-output structure; or it can be a dual-input dual-output type.
[0039] The all-optical nonlinear activator features a flexible structural design. The type of optical microcavity, fabrication process, and structural parameters can all be adjusted and optimized according to actual needs. This allows the activator to adapt to different application scenarios and requirements.
[0040] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a flowchart of a first method for generating an all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] As shown in Figure 2, the first method for generating an all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention includes steps S110-S140.
[0042] In step S110, the input beam is fed in.
[0043] In step S120, the input beam enters the optical microcavity 3, generating a first beam and a second beam within the optical microcavity 3, wherein there is a phase difference between the first beam and the second beam.
[0044] In step S130, the first beam and the second beam resonate within the optical microcavity 3 and modulate the optical field within the cavity to obtain the output beam.
[0045] In step S140, the output beam is detected, and a nonlinear function is obtained based on the nonlinear mapping corresponding to the light intensities of the input beam and the output beam.
[0046] Steps S120 and S130 are nonlinear control processes to obtain the output beam. The type and parameters of the nonlinear function are related to the phase difference, the wavelength of the input beam and the resonant wavelength difference, and the structure of the optical microcavity 3.
[0047] For example, the input light Pin is directly coupled into the optical microcavity 3. Since the combined structure of the optical microcavities 3 can be nested to generate two beams, and these two beams have a certain phase difference. They resonate within the microcavity and modulate the intracavity optical field, achieving nonlinear control of the intracavity optical field. Finally, the output light Pout is output from output terminal 6, and the nonlinear mapping relationship between the input and output beams is detected.
[0048] Figure 3 schematically illustrates the structure of a second all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] As shown in Figure 3, the second all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention, based on the first activator shown in Figure 1, further includes: a beam splitter 2 with adjustable splitting ratio and an optical phase shifter 4. The beam splitter 2 with adjustable splitting ratio is used to split the input beam into a first coherent beam and a second coherent beam; the optical phase shifter 4 is used to perform phase modulation on the first coherent beam to obtain a first modulated beam, wherein there is a phase difference between the first modulated beam and the second coherent beam. The first modulated beam and the second coherent beam enter the optical microcavity 3 and are finally coupled into the output terminal 6.
[0050] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a flowchart of a second method for generating an all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0051] As shown in Figure 4, the second method for generating an all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention includes steps S210-S250.
[0052] In step S210, the input beam is fed in.
[0053] In step S220, the input beam is split into a first coherent beam and a second coherent beam by a beam splitter 2 with an adjustable splitting ratio.
[0054] In step S230, the first coherent beam is modulated by the optical phase shifter 4 to obtain the first modulated beam, wherein there is a phase difference between the first modulated beam and the second coherent beam.
[0055] In step S240, the first control beam and the second coherent beam enter the optical microcavity 3 and resonate to control the optical field inside the cavity, thereby obtaining the output beam.
[0056] In step S250, the output beam is detected, and a nonlinear function is obtained based on the nonlinear mapping corresponding to the light intensities of the input beam and the output beam.
[0057] Steps S220-S240 are nonlinear control processes to obtain the output beam. The type and parameters of the nonlinear function are related to the phase difference, the wavelength of the input beam and the resonant wavelength difference, and the structure of the optical microcavity 3.
[0058] For example, a Fabry-Perot microcavity is used as the optical microcavity 3. The light source coupled to the input end 1 is split into two coherent beams after passing through a beam splitter 2 with an adjustable splitting ratio. One beam (2b) is controlled by an optical phase shifter 4 to form a specific phase difference with the other beam. Then, both coherent beams enter the Fabry-Perot microcavity and resonate. Finally, the output beam Pout is output from output terminal 6. Due to the resonant characteristics of the Fabry-Perot microcavity, the two coherent beams resonate and interfere with each other within the microcavity. At this time, the optical field within the cavity is modulated, generating a nonlinear effect. By adjusting the splitting ratio, phase difference, and structural parameters of the microcavity (such as cavity length and reflectivity), the type and intensity of the nonlinear effect can be flexibly controlled. Finally, after being combined by the optical beam combiner 5, the output beam Pout is output from output terminal 6. By detecting the intensity change of the output beam Pout, the nonlinear mapping relationship between the input and output beams can be obtained.
[0059] Tests were conducted using different input light intensities and phase differences. Experimental results show that when the input light intensity and phase difference vary within a certain range, a significant nonlinear mapping relationship exists between the output light intensity and the input light intensity. By adjusting the splitting ratio and the structural parameters of the microcavity, the type and intensity of the nonlinear effect can be further optimized. Furthermore, this all-optical nonlinear activator exhibits high stability and repeatability, meeting the requirements of practical applications.
[0060] Figure 5 schematically illustrates the structure of a third type of all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0061] As shown in Figure 5, the third type of all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to the present invention, based on the second type of activator shown in Figure 3, further includes an optical beam combiner 5, wherein the second coherent beam first enters the optical microcavity 3 and then enters the optical beam combiner 5 together with the first modulation beam, and finally reaches the output end 6.
[0062] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a flowchart of a third method for generating an all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0063] As shown in Figure 6, the third method for generating an all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to an embodiment of the present invention includes steps S310-S350.
[0064] In step S310, the input beam is fed in.
[0065] In step S320, the input beam is split into a first coherent beam and a second coherent beam by a beam splitter 2 with an adjustable splitting ratio.
[0066] In step S330, the first coherent beam is modulated by the optical phase shifter 4 and the intracavity optical field is modulated to obtain the first modulated beam, wherein there is a phase difference between the first modulated beam and the second coherent beam.
[0067] In step S340, the second coherent beam enters the optical microcavity 3 and resonates, then combines with the first controlled beam at the optical beam combiner 5 to obtain the output beam.
[0068] In step S350, the output beam is detected, and a nonlinear function is obtained based on the nonlinear mapping corresponding to the light intensities of the input beam and the output beam.
[0069] Steps S320-S340 are nonlinear control processes to obtain the output beam. The type and parameters of the nonlinear function are related to the phase difference, the wavelength of the input beam and the resonant wavelength difference, and the structure of the optical microcavity 3.
[0070] For example, a photonic crystal microcavity is used as the optical microcavity 3. The light source coupled to the input terminal 1 is split into two coherent beams after passing through a beam splitter 2 with an adjustable splitting ratio. One of the beams carries the phase difference after being modulated by an optical phase shifter 4. After the other beam enters the photonic crystal microcavity and resonates, generating a nonlinear effect, the two coherent beams are combined at the optical combiner 5, and the output beam Pout is output from the output end 6.
[0071] The all-optical nonlinear activator according to embodiments of the present invention has significant effects and advantages, mainly reflected in the following aspects: Significant nonlinear effect: Due to the use of optical microcavities and phase modulation technology, this all-optical nonlinear activator can achieve significant nonlinear modulation of the optical field. By adjusting the splitting ratio, phase difference, and structural parameters of the microcavity, the type and intensity of the nonlinear effect can be flexibly controlled. This makes the activator have broad application prospects in optical neural networks, optical computing, and other fields; Low power consumption: Compared with traditional nonlinear activators, this all-optical nonlinear activator does not require additional electronic devices to generate the nonlinear effect. Therefore, its power consumption is greatly reduced, which is beneficial for realizing efficient and energy-saving optical systems; Fast response speed: Since the propagation speed of light in the microcavity is very fast, the response speed of this all-optical nonlinear activator is also very fast. This allows it to quickly process input signals and output nonlinearly modulated optical signals, meeting the needs of high-speed optical computing.
[0072] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, these embodiments are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Although various embodiments have been described above, this does not mean that the measures in the various embodiments cannot be used advantageously in combination. Various substitutions and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, and all such substitutions and modifications should fall within the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation, characterized in that, include: Input end, optical microcavity, and output end The input end is used to provide an input beam; The optical microcavity is used to generate resonance, excite and enhance optical nonlinear effects; and The output terminal is used to output the optical signal after nonlinear modulation.
2. The all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The input beam enters the optical microcavity, generates a bicoherent beam within the optical microcavity, and finally couples into the output end.
3. The all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Beam splitters and optical phase shifters with adjustable splitting ratios The beam splitter with adjustable splitting ratio is used to split the input beam into a first coherent beam and a second coherent beam. The optical phase shifter is used to phase-modulate the first coherent beam to obtain a first modulated beam, wherein there is a phase difference between the first modulated beam and the second coherent beam.
4. The all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first modulated beam and the second coherent beam enter the optical microcavity and are finally coupled into the output end.
5. The all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: Optical beam combiner The second coherent beam first enters the optical microcavity and then enters the optical beam combiner together with the first controlled beam, finally reaching the output end.
6. The all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to claim 1, characterized in that, Includes at least one of the following features: The optical microcavity type includes one of Fabry-Perot microcavity, photonic crystal microcavity, or whispering-gallery mode microcavity; The optical microcavity is fabricated using either an optoelectronic integration platform or by forming a tapered optical fiber through high-temperature melting and cooling. The optical microcavity has a structure that can be either all-through or up-and-down channel type.
7. The all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The structure of the optical microcavity includes one of the following: a single microcavity, multiple microcavities connected in series, multiple microcavities connected in parallel, or a microcavity embedded within a microcavity.
8. A method for generating an all-optical nonlinear activator based on dual-beam cavity field modulation as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The method includes: Feed in the input beam; The input beam is nonlinearly modulated to obtain the output beam; The output beam is detected, and a nonlinear function is obtained based on the nonlinear mapping corresponding to the light intensity of the input beam and the output beam.
9. The method of production according to claim 8, characterized in that, The nonlinear modulation of the input light includes: The input beam is split into a first coherent beam and a second coherent beam using a beam splitter with an adjustable splitting ratio. The first coherent beam is modulated by an optical phase shifter to obtain a first modulated beam, wherein there is a phase difference between the first modulated beam and the second coherent beam; The first modulated beam and the second coherent beam enter the optical microcavity and resonate, modulating the optical field within the cavity to obtain the output beam; or The nonlinear modulation of the input light includes: The input beam is split into a first coherent beam and a second coherent beam using a beam splitter with an adjustable splitting ratio. The first coherent beam is modulated by an optical phase shifter, which modulates the intracavity optical field to obtain a first modulated beam, wherein there is a phase difference between the first modulated beam and the second coherent beam; The second coherent beam enters the optical microcavity and resonates, then combines with the first controlled beam at an optical beam combiner to obtain the output beam; or The nonlinear modulation of the input light includes: The input beam enters the optical microcavity, generating a first beam and a second beam within the optical microcavity, wherein there is a phase difference between the first beam and the second beam; The first beam and the second beam resonate within the optical microcavity and modulate the optical field within the cavity to obtain the output beam.
10. The method of production according to claim 8, characterized in that, The type and parameters of the nonlinear function are related to the phase difference, the wavelength of the input beam and the resonant wavelength difference, and the structure of the optical microcavity.