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Bio-Inspired Photosensory Artificial Synapse Based on Functionalized Tellurium Multiropes for Neuromorphic Computing
Adila Rani1, M Junaid Sultan2, Wanqi Ren1
1Electrical Engineering, Korea University, Anam-ro 145, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|March 13, 2024
Summary
New Tellurium-based nanomaterials, TeSOx and TeSeOx, demonstrate excellent optical artificial synaptic properties. These materials show promise for low-power, high-retention nervous system applications and optical neuromorphic computing.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides are leading candidates for artificial photosensory synapses.
- Tellurium (Te)-based nanomaterials are under-explored for these applications due to their intrinsic bandgap limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the photo-synaptic properties of novel Tellurium sulfur oxide (TeSOx) and Tellurium selenium oxide (TeSeOx) nanomaterials.
- To evaluate their potential for optical artificial synaptic applications and neuromorphic computing.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of TeSOx and TeSeOx nanomaterials via vapor deposition, incorporating S and Se onto Te multiropes.
- Characterization of their photo-synaptic responses under various optical stimuli (UV, UV-vis light).
- Fabrication and testing of transistor devices based on these nanomaterials.
Main Results:
- TeSOx and TeSeOx multiropes exhibit controllable temporal dynamics under optical stimulation, unlike pure Te.
- TeSeOx devices showed photosensory synaptic responses to UV-vis light (365, 565, 660 nm) with high responsivity (1500 AW-1 at 365 nm).
- Demonstrated low-voltage (1 V) and low-light intensity (21 µW cm-2) operation, combining photodetector and optical synaptic functionalities.
Conclusions:
- Covalently bonded TeSOx and TeSeOx nanomaterials possess superior photo-synaptic properties compared to pure Te.
- These materials are highly promising for developing low-power, high-retention optical artificial synapses.
- The findings pave the way for practical implementation in optical neuromorphic computing systems.
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