Breakthrough optical processor lets AI compute at the speed of light
Researchers at Tsinghua University developed the Optical Feature Extraction Engine (OFE2), an optical engine that processes data at 12.5 GHz using light rather than electricity. Its integrated diffraction and data preparation modules enable unprecedented speed and efficiency for AI tasks. Demonstrations in imaging and trading showed improved accuracy, lower latency, and reduced power demand. This innovation pushes optical computing toward real-world, high-performance AI.
Optical computing has emerged as a powerful approach for high-speed and energy-efficient information processing. Diffractive optical networks, in particular, enable large-scale parallel computation through the use of passive structured phase masks and the propagation of light. However, one major challenge remains: systems trained in model-based simulations often fail to perform…
As technology advances, and the demand for faster, higher-bandwidth, and more energy-efficient data processing continues to grow, scientists and engineers search for ways to improve electronic systems. One avenue they have been exploring is optoelectronics—the study and application of electronic devices that interface with light by detecting, emitting, or converting…
Researchers have developed a fast and accurate flexible optical skin that can be used to read Braille. The advance could not only improve access to information for people who are blind but also help move us closer to a future where accessible and adaptable technology can benefit everyone.