Method of optical modulation for photonic computing

A system for photonic computing comprising:

• a splitter configured for receiving an input optical signal representative of an input vector, the input optical signal comprising a plurality of wavelength channel signals, and for splitting the input optical signal onto a plurality of paths, light on each path of the plurality of paths including the plurality of wavelength channel signals;
• a plurality of spectral filter banks, a respective one of the plurality of spectral filter banks arranged on each path of the plurality of paths;
• wherein each of the plurality of spectral filter banks comprises a corresponding plurality of wavelength-selective modulators, configured for independently modulating each of the plurality of wavelength channel signals on each path of the plurality of paths;
• a controller for generating control signals for independently controlling each of the plurality of wavelength selective modulators in each of the plurality of spectral filter banks, the control signals associated with a matrix;
• and
• a plurality of photodetectors, a respective photodetector of the plurality of photodetectors optically coupled at an end of each of the plurality of paths for generating an output vector indicative of multiplication of the input vector and the matrix.