Beyond Binary: The Light-Driven Computing Revolution

Researchers develop a computer from an array of VCSELs with optical feedback.

In our data-driven era, solving complex problems efficiently is crucial. However, traditional computers often struggle with this task when dealing with a large number of interacting variables, leading to inefficiencies such as the von Neumann bottleneck. A new type of collective state computing has emerged to address this issue by mapping these optimization problems onto something called the Ising problem in magnetism.

Understanding the Ising Problem
Here’s how it works: Imagine representing a problem as a graph, where nodes are connected by edges. Each node has two states, either +1 or -1, representing the potential solutions. The goal is to find the configuration that minimizes the system’s total energy, based on a concept called a Hamiltonian.