Master PICS 2ème année 2016-2017

Master Photonique, mIcro&nanoteChnologies et tempS-fréquence (PICS), Mention Sciences de la Matière
Contact : [email protected]
Master PICS 2ème année 2016-2017
PROPOSITION DE SUJET POUR stage M2
Titre : Information injection and processing with a Broad Area semiconductor Laser Mots clés : Neuromorphic computing, nonlinear optics Auteur : Dr. Daniel Brunner, Dr. Maxime Jacquot, Prof. Laurent Larger Tél + email : +33 (0)3 81 66 64 88 courriel : daniel.brunner@femto-­‐st.fr Lieu principal du déroulement du projet : Opto-­‐group femto-­‐st Sujet:
The M2 project is formulated within the context of important research activities in OPTO group in
FEMTO-ST Institute, Besancon, France. We are looking for a highly motivated master student for a
project in the area of photonics. The project targets the implementation of neuromorphic computing
in a semiconductor laser.
Taking its inspiration from the human brain, neuromorphic computing is an information processing
concept entirely different from today’s digital computer. Information is transformed by
spatiotemporal dynamics inside a nonlinear network, not by logical functions in a serial fashion. In
that, Neuromorphic computing is related to the spiking activity induced in the human brain by
external stimulus. This fundamentally different approach results in computational possibilities which
a few years ago were unthinkable.
As in the brain, the spatiotemporal network is essential. Surprisingly, their current implementations
are strongly limited and/or highly inefficient. This shortcoming in fundamentally important
technology presents a unique opportunity for groundbreaking research. Special properties of
optics, i.e. parallelism and wave-propagation, makes photonics an excellently suited platform for
spatiotemporal network implementations. In the M2 project, we target the demonstration of an all
optical network consisting of 100s nonlinear nodes with dynamical bandwidths reaching into the
GHz regime. The network corresponds to the nonlinear dynamics found in a large are, multi-mode
semiconductor laser diode. The M2 project is highly interdisciplinary along FEMTO-ST’s expertise.
Neuromorphic computing will be paired with nonlinear dynamics, strongly profiting from local
competencies and fostering the leading position of the FEMTO-ST in both fields.
Neuromorphic computing in photonic devices has become a highly active field in recent years. The
Master project would address a strategic point, essential for the entire concept: the injection of
optical information with GHz bandwidth. If successful, it will therefore correspond to the starting
point of a new line of research.
Support technique – matériel à disposition : Broad area laser diodes, high resolution cameras,
injection laser, fast modulators, 80 GSamples/s oscilloscope etc.