Linear optical framework for large-scale nonlinear computation using structures made entirely of linear materials

https://techxplore.com/news/2025-11-optical-diffractive-processors-large-scale.html

"input variables for nonlinear functions encoded into optical wavefront phase space... encoded wavefront processed through optimized, diffractive, thin, passive layers... each diffraction-limited output pixel corresponds to unique nonlinear function, enabling simultaneous computation of numerous functions with massive spatial density/ speed... avoids electronic post-processing, and weak, power-hungry, slow nonlinear optical effects... ultrafast analog computing, neuromorphic photonics, high-throughput optical processing"