Coupling multiwavelength signals using light on an integrated photonics platform

Cascaded linear and non-linear operations serve as the backbone of integrated photonic applications, enabling diverse functions from routing to computing. In computing, while incoherent processors have shown excellent speed and parallelization in wavelength, space and time, they require electro-optical components to perform the mathematical operations. Achieving independent modulation and direct summation of multi-wavelength carrier signals within a single waveguide in an entirely optical manner remains a significant challenge. This talk will highlight our recent work in exploiting spatial-degrees-of-freedom of in-plane modes using standing waves, beginning with a wavelength-addressable modulator with non-volatile multi-level operation. I will talk about a recent demonstration of a new photonic framework where the non-local thermo-optic effect is combined, enabling direct addition and all-optical encoding of signals carried in different wavelengths.