Holographic photonic neuron

The promise of artificial intelligence (AI) to process complex datasets has brought about innovative computing paradigms. While recent developments in quantum-photonic computing have reached significant feats, mimicking our brain’s ability to recognize images are poorly integrated in these ventures. Here, I incorporate orbital angular momentum (OAM) states in a classical Vander Lugt optical correlator to create the holographic photonic neuron (HoloPheuron). The HoloPheuron can memorize an array of matched filters in a single phase-hologram, which is derived by linking OAM states with elements in the array. Successful correlation is independent of intensity and yields photons with OAM states of lℏ, which can be used as a transmission protocol or qudits for quantum computing. The unique OAM identifier establishes the HoloPheuron as a fundamental AI device for pattern recognition that can be scaled and integrated with other computing platforms to build-up a robust neuromorphic quantum-photonic processor.