Abstract: A computing network comprising a first layer comprising a first set of oscillators and a second layer comprising a second set of oscillators is provided. The computing network further comprises a plurality of adjustable coupling elements between the oscillators of the first set and a plurality of nonlinear elements. The nonlinear elements are configured to couple output signals of the first layer to the second layer. The computing network further comprises an encoding unit configured to receive input signals, convert the input signals into phase-encoded output signals, and provide the phase-encoded output signals to the first layer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a reconfigurable interference device comprising a phase change structure. The phase change structure comprises a solid-state phase change material having a first phase state and a second phase state dependent on temperature. A first energy source is configured to supply an initialization energy to initialize a plurality of domains having the first phase state and a second energy source is configured to supply an electrical current to the structure to position the plurality of domains of the first phase state within the phase change structure. A control unit is configured to control the first and the second energy source and to create a periodic interference pattern comprising a plurality of domains of the first phase state and a plurality of domains of the second phase state in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: An electrical resistor element, system, and method related thereto, wherein the electrical resistor element includes a tunable resistance. The electrical resistor element comprises a first contact electrode, a second contact electrode and a ferroelectric layer arranged between the first contact electrode and the second contact electrode. The ferroelectric layer comprises a first area having a first polarization direction and a second area having a second polarization direction. The first polarization direction is different to the second polarization direction. The ferroelectric layer further comprises a domain wall between the first area and the second area. The electrical resistor element further comprises a first pinning element configured to stabilize the first polarization direction of the ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: An electrical junction comprising a first pair of leads and a second pair of leads. The first pair of leads and the second pair of leads comprise a Weyl semimetal. The junction comprises an electrical crossing arranged between the leads of the first pair and the leads of the second pair and is configured to provide an electrical connection between the leads of the first pair and the leads of the second pair. A related electrical device and a related neural network may be also presented.

Abstract: An electrical junction comprising a first pair of leads and a second pair of leads. The first pair of leads and the second pair of leads comprise a Weyl semimetal. The junction comprises an electrical crossing arranged between the leads of the first pair and the leads of the second pair and is configured to provide an electrical connection between the leads of the first pair and the leads of the second pair. A related electrical device and a related neural network may be also presented.

Abstract: An electrical junction comprising a first pair of leads and a second pair of leads. The first pair of leads and the second pair of leads comprise a Weyl semimetal. The junction comprises an electrical crossing arranged between the leads of the first pair and the leads of the second pair and is configured to provide an electrical connection between the leads of the first pair and the leads of the second pair. A related electrical device and a related neural network may be also presented.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a programmable metamaterial which comprises an array of phase-change material elements. A domain inducing component may be coupled to at least one phase-change material element of the array of phase-change material elements. The domain inducing component may be configured to program the refractive index of the at least one phase-change material element and reprogram the refractive index of the at least one phase-change material element by inducing a phase transition in a domain of the at least one phase-change material element. A method for programming the metamaterial may include selecting the phase-change material element for programming and programming the refractive index of the selected phase-change material element by inducing a phase transition in a domain of the selected phase-change material element.

Abstract: An electrical junction comprising a first pair of leads and a second pair of leads. The first pair of leads and the second pair of leads comprise a Weyl semimetal. The junction comprises an electrical crossing arranged between the leads of the first pair and the leads of the second pair and is configured to provide an electrical connection between the leads of the first pair and the leads of the second pair. A related electrical device and a related neural network may be also presented.

Abstract: An electrical resistor element, system, and method related thereto, wherein the electrical resistor element includes a tunable resistance. The electrical resistor element comprises a first contact electrode, a second contact electrode and a ferroelectric layer arranged between the first contact electrode and the second contact electrode. The ferroelectric layer comprises a first area having a first polarization direction and a second area having a second polarization direction. The first polarization direction is different to the second polarization direction. The ferroelectric layer further comprises a domain wall between the first area and the second area. The electrical resistor element further comprises a first pinning element configured to stabilize the first polarization direction of the ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a reconfigurable interference device comprising a phase change structure. The phase change structure comprises a solid-state phase change material having a first phase state and a second phase state dependent on temperature. A first energy source is configured to supply an initialization energy to initialize a plurality of domains having the first phase state and a second energy source is configured to supply an electrical current to the structure to position the plurality of domains of the first phase state within the phase change structure. A control unit is configured to control the first and the second energy source and to create a periodic interference pattern comprising a plurality of domains of the first phase state and a plurality of domains of the second phase state in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure is notably directed to a computing network comprising a first layer comprising a first set of oscillators and a second layer comprising a second set of oscillators. The computing network further comprises a plurality of adjustable coupling elements between the oscillators of the first set and a plurality of nonlinear elements. The nonlinear elements are configured to couple output signals of the first layer to the second layer. The computing network further comprises an encoding unit configured to receive input signals, convert the input signals into phase-encoded output signals, and provide the phase-encoded output signals to the first layer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a reconfigurable interference device comprising a phase change structure. The phase change structure comprises a solid-state phase change material having a first phase state and a second phase state dependent on temperature. A first energy source is configured to supply an initialization energy to initialize a plurality of domains having the first phase state and a second energy source is configured to supply an electrical current to the structure to position the plurality of domains of the first phase state within the phase change structure. A control unit is configured to control the first and the second energy source and to create a periodic interference pattern comprising a plurality of domains of the first phase state and a plurality of domains of the second phase state in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: Embodiments are notably directed to a thermoelectric device including a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element includes a Weyl semimetal and a plurality of magnetized elements. The plurality of magnetized elements are configured to apply a directed magnetic field on the Weyl-semimetal. Embodiments further concern a related method for cooling a device and a related method for generating electrical energy.

Abstract: Embodiments are notably directed to a thermoelectric device including a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element includes a Weyl semimetal and a plurality of magnetized elements. The plurality of magnetized elements are configured to apply a directed magnetic field on the Weyl-semimetal. Embodiments further concern a related method for cooling a device and a related method for generating electrical energy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a programmable metamaterial which comprises an array of phase-change material elements. A domain inducing component may be coupled to at least one phase-change material element of the array of phase-change material elements. The domain inducing component may be configured to program the refractive index of the at least one phase-change material element and reprogram the refractive index of the at least one phase-change material element by inducing a phase transition in a domain of the at least one phase-change material element. A method for programming the metamaterial may include selecting the phase-change material element for programming and programming the refractive index of the selected phase-change material element by inducing a phase transition in a domain of the selected phase-change material element.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a reconfigurable interference device comprising a phase change structure. The phase change structure comprises a solid-state phase change material having a first phase state and a second phase state dependent on temperature. A first energy source is configured to supply an initialization energy to initialize a plurality of domains having the first phase state and a second energy source is configured to supply an electrical current to the structure to position the plurality of domains of the first phase state within the phase change structure. A control unit is configured to control the first and the second energy source and to create a periodic interference pattern comprising a plurality of domains of the first phase state and a plurality of domains of the second phase state in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: An Apparatus and method are provided for sensing temperature of a sample. Apparatus 2 has a sensor 5, positionable relative to a sample 3, which is responsive to temperature of a region of the sample at each position of the sensor. Sensor circuitry 10 provides a response signal indicative of the sensor response at the position of the sensor. Sample-temperature controller 12 controls temperature of sample 3 independently of sensor 5. Sample-temperature controller 12 effects a time-dependent modulation of the sample temperature such that a time-dependent heat flux is generated between the sample and the sensor at the position of the sensor. Temperature analyzer 11 extracts time-averaged and time-dependent components of the response signal due to the modulation of the sample temperature, and processes the components to produce an output indicative of temperature of the sample at the position of the sensor.

Abstract: A thermal oscillator (10) for creating an oscillating heat flux from a stationary spatial thermal gradient between a warm reservoir (20) and a cold reservoir (30) is provided. The thermal oscillator (10) includes a thermal conductor (11) which is connectable to the warm reservoir (20) or to the cold reservoir (30) and configured to conduct a heat flux from the warm reservoir (20) towards the cold reservoir (30), and a thermal switch (12) coupled to the thermal conductor (11) for receiving the heat flux and having a certain difference between two states (S1, S2) of thermal conductance for providing thermal relaxation oscillations such that the oscillating heat flux is created from the received heat flux.

Abstract: Temperature sensing. An Apparatus and method are provided for sensing temperature of a sample. Apparatus 2 has a sensor 5, positionable relative to a sample 3, which is responsive to temperature of a region of the sample at each position of the sensor. Sensor circuitry 10 provides a response signal indicative of the sensor response at the position of the sensor. Sample-temperature controller 12 controls temperature of sample 3 independently of sensor 5. Sample-temperature controller 12 effects a time-dependent modulation of the sample temperature such that a time-dependent heat flux is generated between the sample and the sensor at the position of the sensor. Temperature analyzer 11 extracts time-averaged and time-dependent components of the response signal due to the modulation of the sample temperature, and processes the components to produce an output indicative of temperature of the sample at the position of the sensor.

Abstract: A thermal oscillator (10) for creating an oscillating heat flux from a stationary spatial thermal gradient between a warm reservoir (20) and a cold reservoir (30) is provided. The thermal oscillator (10) includes a thermal conductor (11) which is connectable to the warm reservoir (20) or to the cold reservoir (30) and configured to conduct a heat flux from the warm reservoir (20) towards the cold reservoir (30), and a thermal switch (12) coupled to the thermal conductor (11) for receiving the heat flux and having a certain difference between two states (S1, S2) of thermal conductance for providing thermal relaxation oscillations such that the oscillating heat flux is created from the received heat flux.