In the big-data-driven artificial intelligence era, similarity search, as a core operation in machine learning and data mining, demands high speed, energy efficiency, and scenario adaptability. Conventional electronic content-addressable memory (ECAMs) suffer from inherent RC delay bottlenecks, whereas existing optical content-addressable memory (OCAMs) are restricted by fixed bit-widths and limited distance metrics. In this work, we propose a variable bit-width all-optical CAM leveraging multi-segment modulators and phase-change material (PCM) Sb2Se3.
