Silicon-based optoelectronic synaptic devices*

Abstract

High-performance neuromorphic computing (i.e., brain-like computing) is envisioned to seriously demand optoelectronically integrated artificial neural networks (ANNs) in the future. Optoelectronic synaptic devices are critical building blocks for optoelectronically integrated ANNs. For the large-scale deployment of high-performance neuromorphic computing in the future, it would be advantageous to fabricate optoelectronic synaptic devices by using advanced silicon (Si) technologies. This calls for the development of Si-based optoelectronic synaptic devices. In this work we review the use of Si materials to make optoelectronic synaptic devices, which have either two-terminal or three-terminal structures. A series of important synaptic functionalities have been well mimicked by using these Si-based optoelectronic synaptic devices. We also present the outlook of using Si materials for optoelectronic synaptic devices.