All-optical non-linear activation function for neuromorphic photonic computing using semiconductor Fano lasers

We predict that semiconductor Fano lasers can be used to realize an all-optical non-linear activation function for neuromorphic photonic computing. By exploiting optical control of a Fano mirror, the laser can generate optical pulses with low threshold energy, gigahertz repetition rates, and orders of magnitude suppression between the on- and off-states. Analytical estimates of the switching threshold energy, extinction ratio, and refractory period agree well with numerical results.