DOE OSTI · 21537092
Factoring numbers with a single interferogram
Abstract
We construct an analog computer based on light interference to encode the hyperbolic function f({zeta}){identical_to}1/{zeta} into a sequence of skewed curlicue functions. The resulting interferogram when scaled appropriately allows us to find the prime number decompositions of integers. We implement this idea exploiting polychromatic optical interference in a multipath interferometer and factor seven-digit numbers. We give an estimate for the largest number that can be factored by this scheme.
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Tamma, Vincenzo, Heyi, Zhang, Xuehua, He, Yanhua, Shih, Garuccio, Augusto, INFN-Sezione di Bari, Bari, Schleich, Wolfgang P. 2011-02-15. Factoring numbers with a single interferogram. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.83.020304
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