Over the past 20 years, photonics has revolutionized daily life, whether in healthcare, security, or telecommunications. Recently, the field of smart photonics has experienced particularly rapid growth, with artificial intelligence being used to add new functionalities to optical systems and optimize their performance.
More specifically, machine learning algorithms – such as neural networks and optimization techniques – are emerging as powerful tools for ultrafast optical systems. When applied to femtosecond laser pulses, they offer significant potential for enhancing precision and control. The choice of the source is key to generating diverse and interesting dynamics.
“Supercontinua are essentially rainbows of light and are ideal for this purpose because they offer versatility and adaptability, thanks to their broad bandwidth,” Mathilde Hary explains.
In her dissertation, Hary experimentally implemented metaheuristic algorithms in various fiber-based systems. She first demonstrated spectral shaping of supercontinuum generation, simultaneously controlling up to four wavelengths using a genetic algorithm. Beyond light control, she also demonstrated that such algorithms can be applied to the alignment and stability enhancement of laser cavities, highlighting their potential for self-alignment and superior system resilience.
“Optimization algorithms are not just tools for tuning light; they can become part of the system, making it more stable, adaptive, and robust”, Hary adds.
Building on this framework, Hary significantly extended her work beyond optimization by using the intrinsic properties of light to transform optical systems into computing platforms. By leveraging the nonlinear dynamics of ultrashort pulses, she experimentally explored the use of highly nonlinear fibers as an alternative to traditional electronic computing architectures.
“Controlling the nonlinear behavior of light is a crucial step towards harnessing it as a medium for computation” Hary concludes.
Mathilde Hary is originally from France. She is working as a PhD student in the Ultrafast Photonics group at Tampere University.
Public Defense on 30 May
The doctoral dissertation of M. Sc. Mathilde Hary in the fields of physics titled From Optimization to Computation: Metaheuristic Control of Optical Fiber Systems and Optical Computing will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Tampere University at 12 o’clock on Friday 30 May at Hervanta campus, Tietotalo building, auditorium TB109 (Korkeakoulunkatu 1, Tampere). The Opponent will be Professor Darko Zibar from Technical University of Denmark. The Custos will be Professor Goëry Genty from the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University.