Apparatus and methods for optical neural network

An apparatus for implementing an artificial neural network, the apparatus comprising:

• one or more input waveguides to receive a first array of optical signals;
• an optical interference unit, in optical communication with the one or more input waveguides, to perform a linear transformation of the first array of optical signals into a second array of optical signals;
• a nonlinearity unit, in communication with the optical interference unit, to perform a nonlinear transformation on the second array of optical signals so as to generate a third array of signals;
• a light source in optical communication with the one or more input waveguides;
• and
• feedback circuitry to transmit an array of electrical signals to the light source based on the third array of signals, the light source emitting a fourth array of optical signals based on the array of electrical signals.