Abstract: A programmable optical coupler may include: a beam splitter configured to receive array of laser beams distributed along a first axis, and split each of laser beams into split laser beams distributed along second axis, in accordance with a first user-defined intensity distribution, wherein the first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis; a phase correction unit configured to receive the split laser beams of each of said array of laser beams, and individually apply a user-defined phase correction thereto, to yield phase-corrected split laser beams of each of the array of laser beams; and a beam combiner configured to receive the phase-corrected split laser beams, and combine the phase-corrected split laser beams of the array of laser beams into a single combined array of laser beams distributed along the second axis, in accordance with a second user-defined intensity distribution.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed may improve existing optical coupler and sparse coding problem solving technology. Optical coupler technology may be improved by the provision of a versatile, efficient, and rapid optical coupler that may be programmed. Sparse coding optimization technology may be improved by the provision of methods for converting a sparse coding optimization problem into a quadratic unconstrained binary optimization for minimization by an annealer (such as a programmable optical coupler), a quantum computer, or similar apparatus. When combined, the programmable optical coupler may solve sparse coding optimization problems particularly quickly and efficiently.