Part 4/10:
One of the most significant features of photonic computing is its ability to perform complex mathematical operations using an analog approach. This is a crucial distinction— where digital computers require thousands of transistors to achieve specific functionalities, one single optical device can accomplish the same task in photonics. For instance, a Fourier transform, which might consume roughly 1 million transistors on a digital chip, can be executed with minimal energy using a single optical device.