Input/output pulse operation of ZnO nanowire threshold integrators

Abstract

Integrating more functionality into individual nano-components is a key step toexploit alternative architectures for energy-efficient computation, such as, forinstance, neuromorphic computing. Here, we show how to configure ZnO nanowirefield-effect transistors as light pulse integrators with programmable threshold.We demonstrate that these single-component devices can be operated as bothsynchronous and asynchronous neuron-like structures, where the firing threshold and theform of the output signal, either step-like or spiked, can be controlled by usingseveral operational parameters, including the environment in which the deviceoperates. A detailed study showing how environmental variables, such as relativehumidity, ambient light and temperature, affect device operation is presented.