In one aspect, a computational machine includes an optical device configured to receive energy from an optical energy source and generate a number N1 of optical signals, and a number N2 of coupling devices, each of which controllably couples a plurality of the number N1 optical signals. The coupling devices are individually controlled to simulate a computational problem. In another aspect, a computational machine includes a number N1 of parametric oscillators and a number N2 of coupling devices, each of which controllably couples a plurality of the number N1 of parametric oscillators together. The coupling devices are individually controlled to simulate a computational problem.
Please help me write a proper abstract based on the patent claims. CLAIM: 1. A computational machine, comprising: an optical device configured to receive energy from an optical energy source and generate a number N1 of optical signals; and a number N2 of coupling devices, each of which controllably couples a plurality of the number N1 optical signals; wherein the coupling devices are individually controlled to simulate a computational problem. 2. The computational machine of claim 1, wherein the optical energy source is a laser. 3. The computational machine of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control the optical energy source to produce energy in a predefined pattern. 4. The computational machine of claim 1, wherein the number N2 is equal to one half of the value N1 squared minus N1 (N2=(N1̂2−N1)/2). 5. The computational machine of claim 1, wherein the number N2 is equal to the value N1 minus one (N2=N1−1). 6. The computational machine of claim 1, wherein the number N2 is equal to one (N2=1). 7. The computational machine of claim 1, wherein the N1 optical signals are generated from a plurality of optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). 8. The computational machine of claim 7, wherein the OPOs are implemented using microresonators. 9. The computational machine of claim 1, configured to produce and maintain the N1 optical signals within one resonant cavity or one optic fiber. 10. The computational machine of claim 1, wherein the coupling devices include electro-optic modulators (EOMs). 11. The computational machine of claim 1, wherein the computational problem is one of a nondeterministic polynomial (NP) problem, an Ising problem, and an optimization problem. 12. The computational machine of claim 1, configured to produce a set of numbers from a plurality of the N1 signals, wherein the produced numbers contain information about a solution of the computational problem. 13. The computational machine of claim 12, wherein the produced numbers determine a solution to the computational problem. 14. The computational machine of claim 12, wherein the produced numbers are generated from the phases of a plurality of the N1 signals. 15. The computational machine of claim 12 configured to provide a phase reference, wherein at least one of the N1 optical signals is compared to the phase reference to produce the numbers. 16. The computational machine of claim 12, wherein at least two of the N1 signals are compared to each other to produce the numbers. 17. A computational machine, comprising: a number N1 of parametric oscillators; and a number N2 of coupling devices, each of which controllably couples a plurality of the number N1 of parametric oscillators together; wherein the coupling devices are individually controlled to simulate a computational problem. 18. The computational machine of claim 17, wherein the parametric oscillators are optical parametric oscillators. 19. The computational machine of claim 18, wherein the optical parametric oscillators are selected from continuous wave degenerate optical parametric oscillators and pulsed degenerate optical parametric oscillators. 20. The computational machine of claim 17, wherein the parametric oscillators are time-multiplexed in one optical cavity or optical fiber.