All-optical convolution utilizing processing in memory based on a cold atomic ensemble

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates an all-optical convolution process using cold atomic ensembles as coherent memory, enabling efficient, low-latency image processing with potential for advanced optical PIM systems.

Contribution

It introduces a novel all-optical convolution method utilizing cold atomic ensembles for processing in memory, achieving high coherence and image enhancement.

Findings

Successful demonstration of spiral phase contrast processing in memory.

Achieved a coherent memory lifetime exceeding 320 microseconds.

Showcased potential for cold atomic ensembles in optical PIM applications.

Abstract

Processing in memory (PIM) has received significant attention due to its high efficiency, low latency, and parallelism. In optical computation, coherent memory is a crucial infrastructure for PIM frameworks. This study presents an all-optical convolution experiment conducted within computational storage based on a cold atomic ensemble. By exploiting the light-atom phase transfer facilitated by the electromagnetically induced transparency, we demonstrated spiral phase contrast processing of photon images in memory, resulting in the edge enhancement of retrieved images recorded using time-correlated photon imaging. In particular, adopting state-of-the-art atomic techniques provides a coherent memory lifetime exceeding 320 us for PIM operations. Our results highlight the significant potential of cold atomic ensembles as computational storage for developing all-optical PIM systems.