7–11 Jul 2025
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Africa/Johannesburg timezone

Crafting Optical Neural Networks Using Multimode Fibre

8 Jul 2025, 14:40
20m
Solomon Mahlangu House (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg)

Solomon Mahlangu House

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

Oral Presentation Track C - Photonics Photonics

Speaker

Christopher Rawlings (The University of the Witwatersrand)

Description

The utilisation of mode division multiplexing, where multiple spatial modes transmit data simultaneously, holds significant promise for enhancing bandwidth in free space optical communication systems. However, atmospheric turbulence can compromise the reliability of these systems. To address this longstanding problem, traditional neural networks have been employed to classify modes in turbulence. However, these neural networks face challenges relating to energy efficiency, computational speed, and latency. In contrast, optical neural networks offer a potential solution by providing the computational capabilities of traditional networks while mitigating these limitations. In our approach, modal crosstalk within a multimode fibre acts analogously to the weighted sums performed by each layer in a traditional neural network. We demonstrate how an all optical neural network can be built using a multimode fibre and can be used to classify optical modes in turbulence.

Apply for student award at which level: MSc

Primary author

Christopher Rawlings (The University of the Witwatersrand)

Presentation materials

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