Zero-power optoelectronic synaptic devices

Abstract Synaptic devices for neuromorphic computing have been recently on the fast track of development. One of the most prominent features of synaptic devices is their potentially ultra-low energy consumption. However, relatively large energy has always been consumed to induce the postsynaptic current (PSC) of a synaptic device up to now. Here, we demonstrate that synaptic devices can work without electrical power supply by taking advantage of the photovoltaic effect during optical stimulation. The optoelectronic synaptic devices with zero-power consumption are fabricated by using the hybrid structure of organometal halide perovskite and silicon nanocrystals (Si NCs). A series of important synaptic functionalities including excitatory PSC, paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), spike-number-dependent plasticity (SNDP), spike-rate-dependent plasticity (SRDP) and dynamic filtering are all successfully mimicked. In addition, arithmetic computing such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division is realized with the current zero-power-consumption optoelectronic synaptic devices.