CTES Factorization Algorithm

We introduce a new factorization algorithm, based on the analogue determination of the periodicity of a single generalized continuous truncated exponential sum (CTES) interferogram. We demonstrate that this algorithm allows, in principle, to factorize arbitrary numbers exploiting a remarking rescaling property of the recorded CTES interference pattern. Such an interferogram can be realized taking advantage of multi-path optical interference, using a polychromatic light source and a spectrometer. The resulting interference pattern, when observed as a function of wavelength, contains the information about all factors of any arbitrary number N . This information is encoded in the location of the maxima of the interferogram.