Laser-Based Computing: LightSolver’s all-optical platform uses lasers to tackle complex problems at light speed.
Simulation Acceleration: Partnership with Ansys aims to boost LS-DYNA® solver performance for automotive and aerospace.
Future Hardware Evolution: LightSolver’s team plans an on-premises Laser Processing Unit™ that scales HPC to new levels.
LightSolver, a Tel Aviv-based company known for its innovative laser-based computing approach, has announced a collaboration with Ansys, a leader in engineering simulation software. Their goal is to integrate LightSolver’s platform with Ansys LS-DYNA®, enhancing computation for automotive, aerospace, and other fields that rely on high-end simulation.
LightSolver’s Laser Processing Unit™ (LPU) processes data at light speed, promising higher efficiency compared to electronic systems. By exploiting the interference patterns of lasers, the LPU targets large optimization and simulation workloads, such as transport planning, climate modeling, and computer-aided engineering (CAE). Currently, LightSolver provides a digital emulation platform that delivers speedups for certain tasks, an approach already tested with Ansys LS-DYNA® for reduced floating-point operations.
"Modeling in computer-aided engineering remains one of the most computationally intensive workloads requiring specialized HPC infrastructure."
— Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., CEO & Co-founder, LightSolver
Why Simulation Matters
Multiphysics simulations, like computational fluid dynamics and finite element analysis, often involve analyzing billions of grid points over many time steps. Traditional high-performance computing can take hours or days to finish these tasks. In tests, LightSolver’s digital platform successfully optimized matrix reordering in Ansys LS-DYNA®, resulting in fewer computations and faster run times.
Ansys foresees potential improvements in product development cycles and cost savings for clients, particularly those needing complex structural analysis. By harnessing photon-driven solutions, both companies hope to reduce hardware demands while delivering results more quickly.
"We’re looking forward to providing clients with increased value as our hardware platform continues to evolve."
— Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
Future of Laser Computing
LightSolver’s planned Laser Processing Unit™ promises a tangible shift in how data-intensive tasks are handled. Developed by physicists from the Weizmann Institute, the LPU will operate at room temperature and fit into a standard rack unit, offering an alternative to power-hungry electronic supercomputers. Speed arises from the natural parallelism of light interference, suggesting it can handle certain algorithms efficiently.
Moving forward, LightSolver and Ansys intend to refine this approach for a broader range of simulations. Growth in advanced research areas, including autonomous vehicle engineering and aerospace design, may rely on these next-generation HPC methods. Meanwhile, LightSolver’s digital platform continues to provide near-term solutions for organizations exploring laser-based computing.
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