Neuromorphic Photonics for Deep Learning

Bangari, Viraj; Márquez, Bicky A.; Tait, Alexander N.; Nahmias, Mitchell A.; Lima, Thomas Ferreira de; Peng, Hsuan-Tung; Prucnal, Paul R.; Shastri, Bhavin J.

doi:10.1109/ipcon.2019.8908375

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 18 publications

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“…At present, the main application of optical-based systems has been in treatment of brain damage through the stimulation of neurons using low level laser (light) in the damage region, showing impressive improvements [23]. However, recent studies show that neurons and some learning rules can be emulated through optic systems such as the brain does [24][25][26][27][28][29]. In this regard, we aim to contribute in this field with a novel approach to experimentally generate different neural dynamics, all of them observed in the brain [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling Neural Dynamics with Optics: A New Approach to Simulate Spiking Neurons through an Asynchronous Laser

2020

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In this paper, we propose a novel approach for implementing spiking neurons through an optical system. Spiking neurons are a new approach to emulate the neural processes that occur in the brain, known as the third generation of artificial neural networks. They have been successfully used to build a new technology called neuromorphic engineering, which looks for a better performance than traditional computing in tasks usually performed by AI-based systems. Our optical system consists of a low-cost laser source, based on a microcontroller and a continuous-wave laser diode; the microcontroller allows producing synchronous or asynchronous pulses with complex time profiles. Here, through said system we have successfully reproduced most of the neural dynamics observed in biological neurons. These dynamics have been reproduced using a very simple optical array with a great potential for the development of neuromorphic systems. The optical system has been experimentally validated.

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