Pyramid diffractive optical networks for unidirectional image magnification and demagnification

Diffractive deep neural networks (D²NNs) are composed of successive transmissive layers optimized using supervised deep learning to all-optically implement various computational tasks between an input and output field-of-view. Here, we present a pyramid-structured diffractive optical network design (which we term P-D²NN), optimized specifically for unidirectional image magnification and demagnification. In this design, the diffractive layers are pyramidally scaled in alignment with the direction of the image magnification or demagnification. This P-D²NN design creates high-fidelity magnified or demagnified images in only one direction, while inhibiting the image formation in the opposite direction—achieving the desired unidirectional imaging operation using a much smaller number of diffractive degrees of freedom within the optical processor volume. Furthermore, the P-D²NN design maintains its unidirectional image magnification/demagnification functionality across a large band of illumination wavelengths despite being trained with a single wavelength. We also designed a wavelength-multiplexed P-D²NN, where a unidirectional magnifier and a unidirectional demagnifier operate simultaneously in opposite directions, at two distinct illumination wavelengths. Furthermore, we demonstrate that by cascading multiple unidirectional P-D²NN modules, we can achieve higher magnification factors. The efficacy of the P-D²NN architecture was also validated experimentally using terahertz illumination, successfully matching our numerical simulations. P-D²NN offers a physics-inspired strategy for designing task-specific visual processors.