Open AccessUltrafast All-Optical Implementation of a Leaky Integrate-and-Fire Neuron
Author(s) -
Konstantin Kravtsov,
Mable P. Fok,
Paul R. Prucnal,
David Rosenbluth
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.19.002133
Subject(s) - computer science , computation , ultrashort pulse , biological neuron model , noise (video) , neuron , optics , algorithm , artificial intelligence , physics , artificial neural network , image (mathematics) , laser , neuroscience , biology
In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time an ultrafast fully functional photonic spiking neuron. Our experimental setup constitutes a complete all-optical implementation of a leaky integrate-and-fire neuron, a computational primitive that provides a basis for general purpose analog optical computation. Unlike purely analog computational models, spiking operation eliminates noise accumulation and results in robust and efficient processing. Operating at gigahertz speed, which corresponds to at least 108 speed-up compared with biological neurons, the demonstrated neuron provides all functionality required by the spiking neuron model. The two demonstrated prototypes and a demonstrated feedback operation mode prove the feasibility and stability of our approach and show the obtained performance characteristics.