Apparatus and methods for optical neural network

A method for artificial neural network computation, the method comprising:

• receiving a first array of optical signals with an array of input waveguides;
• interfering the first array of optical signals, using an optical interference unit in optical communication with the array of input waveguides, to linearly transform the first array of optical signals into a second array of optical signals;
• guiding the second array of optical signals using an array of output waveguides, wherein at least one input waveguide in the array of input waveguides is in optical communication with each output waveguide in the array of output waveguides via the optical interference unit;
• and
• using control circuitry to adjust weight parameters of a transformation matrix implemented by the optical interference unit to linearly transform the first array of optical signals into the second array of optical signals.

A method for artificial neural network computation, the method comprising:

• receiving a first array of optical signals with an array of input waveguides;
• interfering the first array of optical signals, using an optical interference unit in optical communication with the array of input waveguides, to linearly transform the first array of optical signals into a second array of optical signals;
• guiding the second array of optical signals using an array of output waveguides, wherein at least one input waveguide in the array of input waveguides is in optical communication with each output waveguide in the array of output waveguides via the optical interference unit;
• and
• implementing a nonlinear transformation of the second array of optical signals in the electronic domain.