Towards Single Atom Computing via High Harmonic Generation

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel single-atom optical computing paradigm utilizing high harmonic generation, demonstrating potential for ultra-fast, petahertz data processing through reservoir computing principles.

Contribution

It introduces a new approach where individual atoms serve as reservoirs for optical computation using HHG, enabling high-speed classification with minimal physical components.

Findings

Single atoms can function as reservoirs for optical computing.

The all-optical classifier achieves high accuracy dependent on non-linear dynamics.

Potential for petahertz information processing platforms.

Abstract

The development of alternative platforms for computing has been a longstanding goal for physics, and represents a particularly pressing concern as conventional transistors approach the limit of miniaturization. A potential alternatice paradigm is that of reservoir computing, which leverages unknown, but highly non-linear transformations of input-data to perform computations. This has the advantage that many physical systems exhibit precisely the type of non-linear input-output relationships necessary for them to function as reservoirs. Consequently, the quantum effects which obstruct the further development of silicon electronics become an advantage for a reservoir computer. Here we demonstrate that even the most basic constituents of matter - atoms - can act as a reservoir for optical computers, thanks to the phenomenon of High Harmonic Generation (HHG). A prototype single-atom computer for classification problems is proposed, where parameters of the classification model are mapped to optical elements. We numerically demonstrate that this `all-optical' computer can successfully classify data with an accuracy that is strongly dependent on dynamical non-linearities. This may pave the way for the development of petahertz information processing platforms.