Integrated robust universal linear optics based on white-boxed multi-plane light conversion
Abstract
The integrated universal linear optical processor realized via multi-plane light conversion (MPLC) features low hardware complexity and high fabrication robustness, suitable for diverse photonic processing tasks. However, the lack of validated calibration protocols limits its universality and potential. Here, we propose a machine-learning-based calibration method and verify it using an eight-mode silicon photonic processor composed of interleaved multiport directional couplers and phase-shifter arrays. We characterize coupler transfer matrices and current-phase responses of individual phase shifters. To validate the robustness, we demonstrate its universality with Haar-random unitary matrices at wavelengths of 1500, 1550, and 1580 nm, and under partial phase-shifter deactivation. With this white-boxed device, we also demonstrate high-dimensional quantum gates and quantum reservoir computing for handwritten digit classification. Our work advances integrated MPLC-based universal linear optics and paves the way for large-scale, fabrication-robust, broadband hardware for classical and quantum photonic information processing.
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BibTeX
@misc{song2026integrated,
title = {{Integrated robust universal linear optics based on white-boxed multi-plane light conversion}},
author = {Xin-Yu Song and Lan-Tian Feng and Pan Gong and Yu-Yang Ding and Guang-Can Guo and Xi-Feng Ren},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2610.05229},
eprint = {2610.05229},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.05229},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Integrated robust universal linear optics based on white-boxed multi-plane light conversion
AU - Xin-Yu Song
AU - Lan-Tian Feng
AU - Pan Gong
AU - Yu-Yang Ding
AU - Guang-Can Guo
AU - Xi-Feng Ren
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/04
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2610.05229
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.05229
AB - The integrated universal linear optical processor realized via multi-plane light conversion (MPLC) features low hardware complexity and high fabrication robustness, suitable for diverse photonic processing tasks. However, the lack of validated calibration protocols limits its universality and potential. Here, we propose a machine-learning-based calibration method and verify it using an eight-mode silicon photonic processor composed of interleaved multiport directional couplers and phase-shifter arrays. We characterize coupler transfer matrices and current-phase responses of individual phase shifters. To validate the robustness, we demonstrate its universality with Haar-random unitary matrices at wavelengths of 1500, 1550, and 1580 nm, and under partial phase-shifter deactivation. With this white-boxed device, we also demonstrate high-dimensional quantum gates and quantum reservoir computing for handwritten digit classification. Our work advances integrated MPLC-based universal linear optics and paves the way for large-scale, fabrication-robust, broadband hardware for classical and quantum photonic information processing.
ER -