Polarization diffractive networks: performing multiple linear transformations using a polarization-encoded diffractive optical network

Abstract

We report a polarization-encoded diffractive network to perform multiple arbitrary complex-valued linear transforms within a single diffractive processor. An array of pre-selected linear polarizers is placed between the trainable isotropic diffractive layers, and distinct complex-valued linear transformations are individually assigned to different combinations of input/output polarization states. A polarization-encoded diffractive network performs the target linear transforms with negligible error when N ≥ P x I x O, where N is the number of trainable diffractive features/neurons, I and O denote the number of pixels at the input and output fields-of-view, respectively, and P represents the number of target linear transforms.