Scalable multilayer diffractive neural network with all-optical nonlinear activation

Abstract: All-optical diffractive neural networks (DNNs) offer a promising alternative to electronics-based neural network processing due to their low latency, high throughput, and inherent spatial parallelism. However, the lack of reconfigurability and nonlinearity limits existing all-optical DNNs to handling only simple tasks. In this study, we present a folded optical system that enables a multilayer reconfigurable DNN using a single spatial light modulator. This platform not only enables dynamic weight reconfiguration for diverse classification challenges but crucially integrates a mirror-coated silicon substrate exhibiting instantaneous \c{hi}(3) nonlinearity. The incorporation of all-optical nonlinear activation yields substantial accuracy improvements across benchmark tasks, with performance gains becoming increasingly significant as both network depth and task complexity escalate. Our system represents a critical advancement toward realizing scalable all-optical neural networks with complex architectures, potentially achieving computational capabilities that rival their electronic counterparts while maintaining photonic advantages.