Optical vector multiplier

Abstract

Apparatus for performing vector-by-vector multiplication in an optical domain, comprising: a plurality of light signal generators, each arranged to emit a beam of light having a different respective carrier wavelength modulated with an input signal modelling a respective variable of a vector of variables; one or more sets of light modulator elements, wherein each light modulator element in each set is arranged to receive the beam of light modulated with a different one of said input signals, and apply a corresponding weight from a vector of weights in order to produce a weighted optical signal; a respective photosensor element for each of said sets; and one or more optical combining elements arranged to direct the weighted optical signals of each set onto the respective photosensor element and thereby produce a respective output in the form of an analogue electronic signal summing the weighted optical signals of the respective set.