Group-III Nitride-Based Wide-Spectrum Multifunctional Synapses for Encrypted Light Communication and Image...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Neuro-inspired Computing

Background:

• Multifunctional photoelectric synapses are key for faster, more integrated chips.
• Achieving high responsivity and synaptic characteristics simultaneously is challenging due to conflicting mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and prepare wide-spectrum multifunctional synapses with InGaN core-shell nanorods and an ultrathin oxide layer.
• To overcome the limitations of current photoelectric synapses by enabling wavelength-modulated switching.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of InGaN core-shell nanorods with an ultrathin oxide layer.
• Characterization using multiple techniques and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
• Analysis of carrier relaxation time regulation via introduced trap levels.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated wavelength-tunable switching by modulating incident light wavelength.
• Achieved wide-spectrum response (visible to infrared) with peak responsivity of 31.47 A/W and ultrafast response time (190/240 µs).
• Exhibited tunable and stable synaptic plasticity under 365 nm illumination.

Conclusions:

• The developed InGaN nanorod-based synapses successfully integrate wide-spectrum photodetection and synaptic plasticity.
• The device's multi-functionality was proven in dual-band encrypted light communication and handwritten digit recognition (89.12% accuracy).