Factoring numbers with a single interferogram
Abstract
We construct an analog computer based on light interference to encode the hyperbolic function f(ζ) = 1/ζ 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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