Coherent Ising machine based on polarization symmetry breaking in a driven Kerr resonator

Area of Science:

• Quantum optics
• Nonlinear optics
• Computational physics

Background:

• Coherent Ising machines (CIMs) simulate coupled Ising spins for optimization.
• Traditional CIMs use optical parametric oscillators and require complex phase stabilization.
• Spins are encoded in oscillator phases, necessitating sensitive measurement techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simplified and more stable optical Ising machine.
• To enable robust, high-throughput optical optimization using readily available components.
• To overcome the limitations of phase-sensitive measurements in existing CIMs.

Main Methods:

• Introduced an optical Ising machine based on spontaneous polarization symmetry breaking.
• Utilized a coherently driven fiber Kerr nonlinear resonator.
• Encoded spins in the polarization state for all-intensity readout.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated robust, all-intensity readout with off-the-shelf telecom components.
• Achieved uninterrupted Ising trials at optical speeds for over an hour without manual intervention.
• Eliminated drift and bias by operating in a novel regime of locked nonlinearity and topology.

Conclusions:

• The all-fiber platform simplifies hardware for optical optimization.
• This approach offers a path to more stable, high-throughput coherent optical optimization devices.
• Potential applications include finance, drug design, and other complex combinatorial problems.