Transparent and flexible photonic artificial synapse with piezo-phototronic modulator: Versatile memory capability and higher order learning algorithm

Abstract An artificial photonic synapse having tunable manifold synaptic response can be an essential step forward for the advancement of novel neuromorphic computing. In this work, we reported the development of highly transparent and flexible two-terminal ZnO/Ag-nanowires/PET photonic artificial synapse. The device shows purely photo-triggered all essential synaptic functions such as transition from short-to long-term plasticity, paired-pulse facilitation, and spike-timing-dependent plasticity, including in the versatile memory capability. Importantly, strain-induced piezo-phototronic effect within ZnO provides an additional degree of regulation to modulate all of the synaptic functions in multi-levels. The observed effect is quantitatively explained as a dynamic of photo-induced electron-hole trapping/detraining via the defect states such as oxygen vacancies. We revealed that the synaptic functions can be consolidated and converted by applied strain, which is not previously applied any of the reported synaptic devices. This study will open a new avenue to the scientific community to control and design highly transparent wearable neuromorphic computing.

[1]  D. Shen,et al.  Highly Wavelength-Selective Enhancement of Responsivity in Ag Nanoparticle-Modified ZnO UV Photodetector. , 2017, ACS applied materials & interfaces.

[2]  Chaoxing Wu,et al.  Mimicking Classical Conditioning Based on a Single Flexible Memristor , 2017, Advanced materials.

[3]  Caihong Liu,et al.  Flexible Self-Powered GaN Ultraviolet Photoswitch with Piezo-Phototronic Effect Enhanced On/Off Ratio. , 2016, ACS nano.

[4]  B. Lu,et al.  Dual role of Ag nanowires in ZnO quantum dot/Ag nanowire hybrid channel photo thin film transistors , 2018, RSC advances.

[5]  Growth of transparent Zn1 − xSrxO (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08) films by facile wet chemical method: Effect of Sr doping on the structural, optical and sensing properties , 2016, 1708.09582.

[6]  Yong‐Hoon Kim,et al.  Brain‐Inspired Photonic Neuromorphic Devices using Photodynamic Amorphous Oxide Semiconductors and their Persistent Photoconductivity , 2017, Advanced materials.

[7]  J. Yang,et al.  Memristors with diffusive dynamics as synaptic emulators for neuromorphic computing. , 2017, Nature materials.

[8]  Jiang Yin,et al.  Silicon‐Based Hybrid Optoelectronic Devices with Synaptic Plasticity and Stateful Photoresponse , 2018, Advanced Electronic Materials.

[9]  Maarit Karppinen,et al.  Atomic layer deposition of ZnO: a review , 2014 .

[10]  Mingzeng Peng,et al.  High-resolution dynamic pressure sensor array based on piezo-phototronic effect tuned photoluminescence imaging. , 2015, ACS nano.

[11]  Zheng Zhang,et al.  Performance and service behavior in 1-D nanostructured energy conversion devices , 2015 .

[12]  Zhenan Bao,et al.  Stretchable organic optoelectronic sensorimotor synapse , 2018, Science Advances.

[13]  Yong-Young Noh,et al.  Flexible metal-oxide devices made by room-temperature photochemical activation of sol–gel films , 2012, Nature.

[14]  S. K. Hazra,et al.  Role of metallic-like conductivity in unusual temperature-dependent transport in n-ZnO : Al/p-Si heterojunction diode , 2015 .

[15]  Xin Huang,et al.  Enhanced Solar Cell Conversion Efficiency of InGaN/GaN Multiple Quantum Wells by Piezo-Phototronic Effect. , 2017, ACS nano.

[16]  Ru Huang,et al.  Engineering incremental resistive switching in TaOx based memristors for brain-inspired computing. , 2016, Nanoscale.

[17]  M. S. Jeong,et al.  Compliance-Free Multileveled Resistive Switching in a Transparent 2D Perovskite for Neuromorphic Computing. , 2018, ACS applied materials & interfaces.

[18]  P. B. Pillai,et al.  Nanoionics-Based Three-Terminal Synaptic Device Using Zinc Oxide , 2017 .

[19]  Pooi See Lee,et al.  A light-stimulated synaptic transistor with synaptic plasticity and memory functions based on InGaZnOx–Al2O3 thin film structure , 2016 .

[20]  Li Qiang Zhu,et al.  Restickable Oxide Neuromorphic Transistors with Spike‐Timing‐Dependent Plasticity and Pavlovian Associative Learning Activities , 2018, Advanced Functional Materials.

[21]  Hong-Sik Kim,et al.  Piezophototronic Effect Modulated Multilevel Current Amplification from Highly Transparent and Flexible Device Based on Zinc Oxide Thin Film. , 2018, Small.

[22]  M. S. Jeong,et al.  A non-volatile "programmable" transparent multilevel ultra-violet perovskite photodetector. , 2018, Nanoscale.

[23]  Arindam Basu,et al.  Ultralow Power Dual-Gated Subthreshold Oxide Neuristors: An Enabler for Higher Order Neuronal Temporal Correlations. , 2018, ACS nano.

[24]  Juwon Lee,et al.  Monolayer optical memory cells based on artificial trap-mediated charge storage and release , 2017, Nature Communications.

[25]  C. P. Saini,et al.  Thickness-dependent blue shift in the excitonic peak of conformally grown ZnO:Al on ion-beam fabricated self-organized Si ripples , 2015 .

[26]  Hong Wang,et al.  Photoelectric Plasticity in Oxide Thin Film Transistors with Tunable Synaptic Functions , 2018, Advanced Electronic Materials.

[27]  Su‐Ting Han,et al.  Photonic Synapses Based on Inorganic Perovskite Quantum Dots for Neuromorphic Computing , 2018, Advanced materials.

[28]  Joondong Kim,et al.  Photo-induced pyroelectric spikes for neuromorphic sensors , 2018, Materials Letters.

[29]  Dong-Wook Kim,et al.  Translucent Photodetector with Blended Nanowires-Metal Oxide Transparent Selective Electrode Utilizing Photovoltaic and Pyro-Phototronic Coupling Effect. , 2019, Small.

[30]  T. Som,et al.  Ultra-violet absorption induced modifications in bulk and nanoscale electrical transport properties of Al-doped ZnO thin films , 2015 .

[31]  Caofeng Pan,et al.  Light-induced pyroelectric effect as an effective approach for ultrafast ultraviolet nanosensing , 2015, Nature Communications.

[32]  Ye Zhou,et al.  Tunable synaptic behavior realized in C3N composite based memristor , 2019, Nano Energy.

[33]  B. Satpati,et al.  Nanoscale interface engineering in ZnO twin nanorods for proposed phonon tunnel devices. , 2015, Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP.

[34]  Tianyou Zhai,et al.  A Fully Transparent and Flexible Ultraviolet–Visible Photodetector Based on Controlled Electrospun ZnO‐CdO Heterojunction Nanofiber Arrays , 2015 .

[35]  Zhong Lin Wang,et al.  Temperature dependence of pyro-phototronic effect on self-powered ZnO/perovskite heterostructured photodetectors , 2016, Nano Research.

[36]  Yongsuk Choi,et al.  Optoelectronic Synapse Based on IGZO‐Alkylated Graphene Oxide Hybrid Structure , 2018, Advanced Functional Materials.

[37]  A. Lefort,et al.  Work function measurements of contact materials for industrial use , 1998 .

[38]  Yichun Liu,et al.  Stretchable and conformable synapse memristors for wearable and implantable electronics. , 2018, Nanoscale.

[39]  Li Jiang,et al.  Memristive Synapses with Photoelectric Plasticity Realized in ZnO1-x/AlOy Heterojunction. , 2018, ACS applied materials & interfaces.

[40]  X. Miao,et al.  Ultrafast Synaptic Events in a Chalcogenide Memristor , 2013, Scientific Reports.

[41]  Zhong Lin Wang,et al.  Piezo-phototronic Effect Enhanced Responsivity of Photon Sensor Based on Composition-tunable Ternary CdSxSe1-x Nanowires , 2017 .

[42]  Li Yang,et al.  Low-symmetry two-dimensional materials for electronic and photonic applications , 2016, 1702.00573.

[43]  Jung Min Lee,et al.  Synaptic Barristor Based on Phase‐Engineered 2D Heterostructures , 2018, Advanced materials.

[44]  Joondong Kim,et al.  All-Oxide-Based Highly Transparent Photonic Synapse for Neuromorphic Computing. , 2018, ACS applied materials & interfaces.

[45]  Pengfei Ma,et al.  Habituation/Fatigue behavior of a synapse memristor based on IGZO–HfO2 thin film , 2017, Scientific Reports.

[46]  D. Bhattacharyya,et al.  Search for Origin of Room Temperature Ferromagnetism Properties in Ni-Doped ZnO Nanostructure. , 2017, ACS applied materials & interfaces.

[47]  M. Marinella,et al.  A non-volatile organic electrochemical device as a low-voltage artificial synapse for neuromorphic computing. , 2017, Nature materials.