Image edge detection with a photonic spiking VCSEL-neuron

Robertson, Joshua and Zhang, Yahui and Hejda, Matěj and Bueno, Julián and Xiang, Shuiying and Hurtado, Antonio (2020) Image edge detection with a photonic spiking VCSEL-neuron. Optics Express, 28 (25). pp. 37526-37537. ISSN 1094-4087 (https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.408747)

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Abstract

We report both experimentally and in theory on the detection of edge features in digital images with an artificial optical spiking neuron based on a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). The latter delivers fast (< 100 ps) neuron-like optical spikes in response to optical inputs pre-processed using convolution techniques; hence representing image feature information with a spiking data output directly in the optical domain. The proposed technique is able to detect target edges of different directionalities in digital images by applying individual kernel operators and can achieve complete image edge detection using gradient magnitude. Importantly, the neuromorphic (brain-like) spiking edge detection of this work uses commercially sourced VCSELs exhibiting responses at sub-nanosecond rates (many orders of magnitude faster than biological neurons) and operating at the important telecom wavelength of 1300 nm; hence making our approach compatible with optical communication and data-centre technologies.

ORCID iDs

Robertson, Joshua, Zhang, Yahui, Hejda, Matěj ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4493-9426, Bueno, Julián, Xiang, Shuiying and Hurtado, Antonio ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4448-9034;
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