Neuromorphic computing can employ coherent linear optical neurons implemented with multipath optical interferometers in which optical amplitude modulators and phase shifters impart neuron input signals and neuron weights onto optical carrier signals that are then summed at the interferometer output. Photodetectors at the interferometer output, optionally in conjunction with preceding nonlinear optical circuits, may implement a non-linear activation function and generate electronic neuron output signals that can be provided as input to other optical neurons to form an optical neural network.
NEUROMORPHIC PHOTONICS WITH COHERENT LINEAR NEURONS