Ferroelectric P(VDF-TrFE) wrapped InGaAs nanowires for ultralow-power artificial synapses

Abstract

The gallop of artificial intelligence ignites urgent demand on information processing systems with ultralow power consumption, reliable multi-parameter control and high operation efficiency. Here, the poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) wrapped InGaAs nanowire (NW) artificial synapses capable to operate with record-low subfemtojoule power consumption are presented. The essential synaptic behaviors are mimicked and modulated effectively by adjusting the thickness of top P(VDF-TrFE) films. Moreover, the long-term depression is realized by applying visible light (450 nm) because of the negative photoconductivity of InGaAs nanowires. Combined with optimal P(VDF-TrFE) films, the synaptic devices have the more linear long-term potentiation/depression characteristics and the faster supervised learning process simulated by hardware neural networks. The Pavlovian conditioning is also performed by combining electrical and infrared stimuli. Evidently, these ultralow-operating-power synapses are demonstrated with the brain-like behaviors, effective function modulation, and more importantly, the synergistic photoelectric modulation, which illustrates the promising potentials for neuromorphic computing systems.