LightSolver, a startup based in Tel Aviv, has unveiled its groundbreaking Laser Processing Unit (LPU), a computing technology designed to tackle complex physics equations at unprecedented speeds. This innovative approach positions laser-based computing as a potential competitor to traditional computing systems, including CPUs, GPUs, and even quantum computers.
At the core of LightSolver’s technology is its ability to directly solve partial differential equations, essential in fields such as physics and engineering. With its LPU, the company is challenging the limitations of conventional computing by utilizing a grid of lasers that operate in unison, which allows for a different method of processing data compared to existing digital systems.
Revolutionizing Computational Speed
LightSolver’s LPU utilizes embedded optical memory that preserves laser states within the resonator, allowing calculations to build on previous steps without the delays associated with data transfers between memory and processors. This design results in constant-time iteration measured in nanoseconds, independent of problem size, enabling extremely efficient computations.
The company highlights its ability to map significant equations directly onto the LPU. For instance, it can handle the heat equation, which models heat flow, and Schrödinger’s equation, a fundamental equation in quantum mechanics. This capability positions the LPU to solve complex physics problems more efficiently than current high-performance computing (HPC) or quantum systems.
While LightSolver acknowledges comparisons to photonic processors, it emphasizes that its three-dimensional laser-based design allows for greater scalability than the traditional two-dimensional systems available today. The company aims to increase its operational capacity significantly, with a roadmap targeting 100,000 variables by 2027 and one million variables by 2029.
Early Access and Industry Collaboration
In a bid to foster innovation and experimentation, LightSolver is offering early lab access to its technology. Researchers can now test an alpha version of the processor, along with a digital emulator, through the LPU Lab. This initiative aims to allow scientists and engineers to explore the capabilities of the LPU before it is fully commercialized.
Ruti Ben-Shlomi, CEO and co-founder of LightSolver, articulated the benefits of laser-based computation, stating, “Classical computers digitize analog nature, and we pay the price in longer run times and wasted energy. By running large-scale physics simulations on a physical machine, we can solve them more efficiently than any HPC or quantum system available today.”
The company has actively engaged with the academic community, having presented its findings at notable computing conferences, including the ACM Computing Frontiers 2025. Additionally, LightSolver has established partnerships with simulation software providers and is collaborating with HPC centers and national laboratories to further develop its technology.
As the landscape of high-performance computing evolves, LightSolver’s advancements in laser processing might redefine computational possibilities, particularly in the realm of scientific research and engineering applications.
