We demonstrate that by utilizing displacement currents in simple dielectric resonators instead of conduction currents in metallic split-ring resonators and by additionally exciting the proper modes, left-handed properties can be observed in an array of high dielectric resonators. Theoretical analysis and experimental measurements show that the modes, as well as the subwavelength resonance, play an important role in the origin of the left-handed properties. The proposed implementation of a left-handed metamaterial, based on a purely dielectric configuration, opens the possibility of realizing media at terahertz frequencies since scaling issues and losses, two major drawbacks of metal-based structures, are avoided.

Matrix computation, as a fundamental building block of information processing in science and technology, contributes most of the computational overheads in modern signal processing and artificial intelligence algorithms. Photonic accelerators are designed to accelerate specific categories of computing in the optical domain, especially matrix multiplication, to address the growing demand for computing resources and capacity. Photonic matrix multiplication has much potential to expand the domain of telecommunication, and artificial intelligence benefiting from its superior performance. Recent research in photonic matrix multiplication has flourished and may provide opportunities to develop applications that are unachievable at present by conventional electronic processors. In this review, we first introduce the methods of photonic matrix multiplication, mainly including the plane light conversion method, Mach–Zehnder interferometer method and wavelength division multiplexing method. We also summarize the developmental milestones of photonic matrix multiplication and the related applications. Then, we review their detailed advances in applications to optical signal processing and artificial neural networks in recent years. Finally, we comment on the challenges and perspectives of photonic matrix multiplication and photonic acceleration.

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Optical fibers typically confine light through total internal reflection or through photonic bandgaps. Here we show that light can be perfectly guided in optical fibers through a different mechanism based on bound states in the continuum (BICs). In fibers with periodic Bragg gratings, we predict bona fide BICs in purepolarization modes, as well as quasi-BICs in hybrid-polarization modes. These guided modes exist robustly without the need for fine structural tuning, and they persist even with the very small grating index contrasts that are available in conventional fiber Bragg gratings. The suppression of radiation loss arises from the coupling between a weakly-radiating mode and a strongly-radiating one. This finding opens the possibility of guiding light with BICs in optical fibers and their applications in distributed fiber sensors, in-line fiber filters, and high-power fiber lasers.