Bi-imaginary number system for optical complex calculation

The bi-imaginary number system is exploited for complex operation, in which a complex number is represented by a single digit string. Complex multiplication is realized by two real-like multiplications with no signs and carriers, simple preprocessing and postprocessing. No subtraction is included. Furthermore, the proposed architecture is cascadable. On this basis, complex matrix-vector multiplication is demonstrated in parallel using a multichannel incoherent optical correlator.