Model-free optical processors using in situ reinforcement learning with proximal policy optimization

Yuhang Li; Shiqi Chen; Tingyu Gong; Aydogan Ozcan

doi:10.1038/s41377-025-02148-7

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Model-free optical processors using in situ reinforcement learning with proximal policy optimization

Original Articles

- Model-free optical processors using in situ reinforcement learning with proximal policy optimization
- Model-free optical processors using in situ reinforcement learning with proximal policy optimization
- Light: Science & Applications 2026年15卷第1期页码：263-276
- Affiliations：
  
  1.Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
  2.California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
  3.Computer Science Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
  4.Bioengineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Author bio：
  
  Aydogan Ozcan (ozcan@ucla.edu)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1038/s41377-025-02148-7
  中图分类号：
- 收稿：2025-07-07，
  
  修回：2025-11-17，
  
  录用：2025-11-27，
  
  网络出版：2026-01-01，
  
  纸质出版：2026-01-31
- Accepted：
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Yuhang Li, Shiqi Chen, Tingyu Gong, 等. Model-free optical processors using in situ reinforcement learning with proximal policy optimization[J]. Light: Science & Applications, 2026,15(1):263-276.

Li, Y. H. et al. Model-free optical processors using in situ reinforcement learning with proximal policy optimization. Light: Science & Applications, 15, 263-276 (2026).
Yuhang Li, Shiqi Chen, Tingyu Gong, 等. Model-free optical processors using in situ reinforcement learning with proximal policy optimization[J]. Light: Science & Applications, 2026,15(1):263-276. DOI： 10.1038/s41377-025-02148-7.

Li, Y. H. et al. Model-free optical processors using in situ reinforcement learning with proximal policy optimization. Light: Science & Applications, 15, 263-276 (2026). DOI： 10.1038/s41377-025-02148-7.

摘要

Abstract

Optical computing holds promise for high-speed

energy-efficient information processing

with diffractive optical networks emerging as a flexible platform for implementing task-specific transformations. A challenge

however

is the effective optimization and alignment of the diffractive layers

which is hindered by the difficulty of accurately modeling physical systems with their inherent hardware imperfections

noise

and misalignments. While existing in situ optimization methods offer the advantage of direct training on the physical system without explicit system modeling

they are often limited by slow convergence and unstable performance due to inefficient use of limited measurement data. Here

we introduce a model-free reinforcement learning approach utilizing Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) for the in situ training of diffractive optical processors. PPO efficiently reuses in situ measurement data and constrains policy updates to ensure more stable and faster convergence. We validated our method through both simulations and experiments across a range of in situ learning tasks

including targeted energy focusing through a random diffuser

image generation

aberration correction

and optical image classification

demonstrating in each task better convergence and performance. Our strategy operates directly on the physical system and naturally accounts for unknown real-world imperfections

eliminating the need for prior system knowledge or modeling. By enabling faster and more accurate training under realistic experimental constraints

this in situ reinforcement learning approach could offer a scalable framework for various optical and physical systems governed by complex

feedback-driven dynamics.

关键词

Keywords

references

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