As technology advances and computing demands rise, the vulnerabilities inherent in electronic systems are becoming more apparent, especially in the defense sector. Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks have long been seen as a serious threat to military infrastructure, capable of disabling electronic systems vital to national defense and combat operations. However, diffraction casting, a new optical computing design, may offer a way to sidestep these vulnerabilities while also advancing computing performance in a way that could change the face of future warfare.
Traditional computing systems rely on electronic components to process and transmit data. These systems, while incredibly powerful, are highly susceptible to EMP attacks, which can cripple electronic devices by creating sudden, intense electromagnetic energy bursts. In contrast, optical computing processes data using light rather than electricity. The light waves are immune to the effects of EMPs, offering a potential solution to safeguarding critical infrastructure during an attack.
In warfare, where the ability to maintain communication, command and control, and surveillance is crucial, losing access to digital systems could be catastrophic. The introduction of optical computing could serve as a reliable alternative or backup to electronic-based systems. Diffraction casting, the latest innovation in optical computing, allows data to be processed in the optical domain with minimal reliance on electronic components. Only the final output is converted to digital data, which greatly reduces the overall system’s vulnerability to electromagnetic interference.
“Diffraction casting is just one building block in a hypothetical computer based around this principle and it might be best to think of it as an additional component rather than a full replacement of existing systems, akin to the way graphical processing units are specialized components for graphics, gaming and machine learning workloads,” said lead author Ryosuke Mashiko. “I anticipate it will take around 10 years to become commercially available, as much work has to be done on the physical implementation, which, although grounded in real work, has yet to be constructed. At present, we can demonstrate the usefulness of diffraction casting in performing the 16 basic logic operations at the heart of much information processing, but there’s also scope for extending our system into another upcoming area of computing that goes beyond the traditional, and that’s in quantum computing. Time will tell.” This design not only offers the potential for improved speed and efficiency, but also for increased resilience in hostile environments where EMPs or electronic warfare (EW) tactics could render traditional systems useless.
As conflicts become increasingly reliant on cyber and electronic warfare capabilities, the ability to counter EMP threats will be crucial to maintaining operational superiority. Optical computing could provide a means of keeping vital military systems online even in the event of an EMP attack, ensuring that defense systems, communications, and weapons platforms remain functional. In high-stakes combat scenarios, where mere minutes can decide outcomes, such resilience could be the difference between victory and defeat.
The implications of diffraction casting go beyond simply countering EMP vulnerabilities. Its capability for high-speed, parallel data processing could revolutionize military technology by allowing for real-time data analytics, autonomous systems, and enhanced machine learning models. The application of optical computing in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), drones, and autonomous vehicles could make them faster, more responsive, and less reliant on traditional computing infrastructure, opening up new possibilities for tactical deployments.
In a future where cyber and electronic warfare are key elements of conflict, optical computing technologies could provide a critical advantage. They could ensure the survival of command systems, intelligence platforms, and combat drones in the face of EMP attacks that would otherwise incapacitate electronic systems. As military strategists consider next-generation technologies, diffraction casting stands out as an innovation with the potential to reshape the battlefield.
This advancement comes at a critical time when adversaries are rapidly developing electronic warfare capabilities designed to exploit vulnerabilities in traditional systems. By integrating optical computing into future military technology, the United States and its allies could maintain operational dominance, even in environments where EMP threats or cyberattacks are prevalent. Diffraction casting, while still in its developmental stages, may be the key to fortifying military infrastructure against the increasingly complex challenges of modern warfare.
