# Photonic convolutional neural networks using integrated diffractive optics

Source: [Photonic convolutional neural networks using integrated diffractive optics](<https://www.sota2.com/research/paper/68fa3bbc1e209131ce8d52de>)

Collection index: [llms.txt](<https://www.sota2.com/research/llms.txt>)

Data updated: 2025-10-25T00:45:55.387Z

Authors: Jun Rong Ong, Chin Chun Ooi, Thomas Y. L. Ang, Soon Thor Lim, Ching Eng Png

Published: 2020-02-17T09:09:18.000Z

## Abstract

With recent rapid advances in photonic integrated circuits, it has been demonstrated that programmable photonic chips can be used to implement artificial neural networks. Convolutional neural networks (CNN) are a class of deep learning methods that have been highly successful in applications such as image classification and speech processing. We present an architecture to implement a photonic CNN using the Fourier transform property of integrated star couplers. We show, in computer simulation, high accuracy image classification using the MNIST dataset. We also model component imperfections in photonic CNN and show that the performance degradation can be recovered in a programmable chip. Our proposed architecture provides a large reduction in physical footprint compared to current implementations as it utilizes the natural advantages of optics and hence offers a scalable pathway towards integrated photonic deep learning processors.

## Recorded benchmark results

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## Original sources and implementation

[Original paper](<https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.12015>)

[PDF](<https://arxiv.org/pdf/2003.12015.pdf>)