Liquid-crystal-based reconfigurable structural nonlinearity

Tsung-Hsien Lin; Zhiwen Liu; Xingjie Ni; Iam-Choon Khoo

doi:10.1117/12.3026919

3 October 2024 Liquid-crystal-based reconfigurable structural nonlinearity

Tsung-Hsien Lin, Zhiwen Liu, Xingjie Ni, Iam-Choon Khoo

Proceedings Volume PC13113, Photonic Computing: From Materials and Devices to Systems and Applications; PC131130O (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3026919
Event: Nanoscience + Engineering, 2024, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Traditional neural networks (NNs) require substantial computing resources and energy. Photonics-based systems offer faster and more energy-efficient solutions. However, implementing nonlinear activation functions in photonics has been challenging due to the need for high-power optical sources and extended interaction lengths. The proposed solution uses structural nonlinearity, creating nonlinear output patterns with low energy use and simple digital NN training. The research develops a reconfigurable material platform using liquid crystal/polymer composite (LCPC) and metasurface to control scattering potentials dynamically. These results show that the LCPC’s phase distribution can be reliably controlled, enabling reconfiguration and repetition of scattering responses, which is crucial for advancing photonics-based neuromorphic computing.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Tsung-Hsien Lin, Zhiwen Liu, Xingjie Ni, and Iam-Choon Khoo "Liquid-crystal-based reconfigurable structural nonlinearity", Proc. SPIE PC13113, Photonic Computing: From Materials and Devices to Systems and Applications, PC131130O (3 October 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3026919

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available