Nonlinear computation is essential for a wide range of information processing tasks, yet implementing nonlinear functions using optical systems remains a challenge due to the weak and power-intensive ...

Acoustic perception is a fairly basic but extraordinary feature in nature, relying on multidimensional signal processing for detection, localization, and recognition. Replicating this capability in compact artificial systems, however, remains a formidable challenge due to limitations in scalability, sensitivity, and integration. Here, imitating the auditory system of insects, we introduce an opto-acoustic perception paradigm using fully-stabilized dual-soliton microcombs. By integrating digitally stabilized on-chip dual-microcombs, silicon optoelectronics and bionic fiber-microphone arrays on a single platform, we achieve parallelized interrogation of over 100 sensors. Leveraging the low-noise, multi-channel coherence of fully-stabilized soliton microcombs, this synergy enables ultra-sensitive detection of 29.3 nPa/Hz1/2, sub centimeter precise localization, real-time tracking and identification for versatile acoustic targets. Bridging silicon photonics, optical fiber sensing and intelligent signal processing in a chiplet microsystem, our scheme delivers out-of-lab deployable capability on autonomous robotics. This work not only deepens the understanding of frequency comb science, but also establishes a concept of dual-comb-driven sensor networks as a scalable foundation for next-generation opto-acoustic intelligence.

Spectrometers serve as indispensable analytical tools across chemistry, materials science, environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and beyond. The emergence of reconstructive spectrometers represents a transformative leap in spectral analysis, combining miniaturized encoding hardware with advanced computational algorithms to revolutionize conventional approaches. These devices encode unknown spectral data into measurable signals, for which sophisticated algorithms then decode to reconstruct the original spectrum with high fidelity—all achieved within an ultra-compact footprint. In this review, we first establish the mathematical foundations governing spectral encoding and decoding. We then provide a detailed analysis of encoding strategy and state-of-the-art decoding techniques, followed by recent breakthroughs in hardware design for optimized spectral reconstruction systems. Finally, we address key challenges and future opportunities, offering insights into how reconstructive spectrometers may redefine spectroscopy beyond traditional laboratory settings.

Correlated twin combs generated by seeded four-wave mixing enable quantum correlation-enhanced dual-comb spectroscopy. High signal-to-noise ratio and comb-line-resolvable spectra in the mid-infrared molecular fingerprinting region is achieved by bridging intensity-difference squeezing and dual-comb spectroscopy.

The speed, dimensions, and immersive quality of communication have been continuously transformed by advances in information technology: from letters to telegraphs, telephones to video calls, and on-sc...

With the rapid development of information technology, artificial intelligence and large-scale models have exhibited exceptional performance and widespread applications. Photonic hardware offers a prom...

Higher-order topological insulators (HOTIs) can support boundary states at least two dimensions lower than the bulk, attracting intensive attention from both fundamental science and application sides....

Topological pumping refers to transfer of a physical quantity governed by the system topology, resulting in quantized amounts of the transferred quantities. It is a ubiquitous wave phenomenon typicall...

Photonic quantum emulator utilizes photons to emulate the quantum physical behavior of a complex quantum system. Recent study in spatiotemporal optics has enriched the toolbox for designing and manipu...

Microresonator-based Kerr frequency combs (“Kerr microcombs”) constitute chip-scale frequency combs of broad spectral bandwidth and repetition rate ranging from gigahertz to terahertz. A critical appl...

Chip-scale integration of optical frequency combs, particularly soliton microcombs, enables miniaturized instrumentation for timekeeping, ranging, and spectroscopy. Although soliton microcombs have be...

Spatio-spectral selectivity, the capability to select a single mode with a specific wavevector (angle) and wavelength, is imperative for light emission and imaging. Continuous band dispersion of a con...

In the era of artificial intelligence, the computing hardware is of critical importance, with various new modalities explored. Information processing using photons, with abundant intrinsic degrees of ...

Computing with light is widely recognized as a promising paradigm for overcoming the energy and latency limitations of electronic computing. However, the energy consumption and latency in current opti...

Nonlinear metasurfaces with subwavelength thickness were recently established as versatile platforms for the enhanced and tailorable generation of entangled photon pairs. The small dimensions and inhe...

Lasers with the gain medium of gas, liquid, semiconductor, and solid could generate coherent light with rather narrow spectral linewidth, which play an important role in the fields of communication, m...

The synergistic development of nanophotonics and machine learning has inspired tremendous innovations in both fields in the past decade. In diverse photonics research, deep-learning methods using arti...

The ultimate goal of understanding the structure of matter has spurred a constant search for composite particles, especially high-order correlated entities for nearly all forms of matter, from element...

The ultimate goal of understanding the structure of matter has spurred a constant search for composite particles, especially high-order correlated entities for nearly all forms of matter, from element...

Innovation in microscopy has often been critical in advancing both fundamental science and technological progress. Notably, the evolution of ultrafast near-field optical nano-spectroscopy and nano-ima...