Neuromorphic behavior in percolating nanoparticle films

We show that the complex connectivity of percolating networks of nanoparticles provides a natural solid-state system in which bottom-up assembly provides a route to realization of neuromorphic behavior. Below the percolation threshold the networks comprise groups of particles separated by tunnel gaps; an applied voltage causes atomic scale wires to form in the gaps, and we show that the avalanche of switching events that occurs is similar to potentiation in biological neural systems. We characterize the level of potentiation in the percolating system as a function of the surface coverage of nanoparticles and other experimentally relevant variables, and compare our results with those from biological systems. The complex percolating structure and the electric field driven switching mechanism provide several potential advantages in comparison to previously reported solid-state neuromorphic systems.