High-speed optical vector and matrix operations using a semiconductor laser

Using induced transient dynamics of a standard telecommunication laser, we perform optical computation at high data rates. Utilizing time-multiplexing, we emulate a nonlinear photonic network via a single laser diode. Based on the induced dynamics of the network, a machine learning technique is implemented. We compute the multiplication of a scalar with a vector, vector dot and cross products and the multiplication of a matrix and a vector, employing the same system. Information is injected all-optically at a rate of 5 GSamples/s, allowing for up to 5*10^8 operations per second.