Optical Neural Networks from Coherent Transient Dynamics in Waveguide QED

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2605.17752v1
• Date: Mon, 18 May 2026 02:11:34 GMT
• Title: Optical Neural Networks from Coherent Transient Dynamics in Waveguide QED
• Abstract summary: Optical neural networks promise ultrafast, low-energy information processing by performing computation directly with photons.<n>We propose an all-optical fully connected neural network architecture in which the basic neuronal functions are realized by coherent quantum dynamics.<n>Full-physics simulations demonstrate high classification accuracy on MNIST and colored-object recognition tasks.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: Optical neural networks promise ultrafast, low-energy information processing by performing computation directly with photons. Current implementations, however, are largely restricted to steady-state operation and rely on high-latency electro-optical conversion for nonlinear activation. To address these limitations, we propose an all-optical fully connected neural network architecture in which the basic neuronal functions are realized by coherent transient quantum dynamics. Within this framework, phase-tunable nonlocal interference in a giant cavity implements programmable synaptic weights; an integrator operating in the bad cavity regime performs temporal summation by coherently combining sequential wavepackets; and transient Rabi dynamics of a driven two-level system provide nonlinear activation. Full-physics simulations demonstrate high classification accuracy on MNIST and colored-object recognition tasks. These results eliminate the optoelectronic activation bottleneck, reduce latency, and establish transient light-matter dynamics as a native physical resource for high-dimensional nonlinear information processing, paving the way toward fully optical neuromorphic computing.

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