Refractive Loss Research Articles

Synergistic Improvement of Narrow Bandgap PbS Quantum Dot Solar Cells through Surface Ligand Engineering, Near-Infrared Spectral Matching, and Enhanced Electrode Transparency.

The tunability of the energy bandgap in the near-infrared (NIR) range uniquely positions colloidal lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs) as a versatile material to enhance the performance of existing perovskite and silicon solar cells in tandem architectures. The desired narrow bandgap (NBG) PbS QDs exhibit polar (111) and nonpolar (100) terminal facets, making effective surface passivation through ligand engineering highly challenging. Despite recent breakthroughs in surface ligand engineering, NBG PbS QDs suffer from uncontrolled agglomeration in solid films, leading to increased energy disorder and trap formation. The limited NIR transparency of commonly used indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) electrodes and inadequate NIR radiation from commercially available solar simulators further compromise the true performance of NBG PbS QDs in solar cells. Here, we employ a hybrid ligand strategy based on inorganic cadmium halide and organic thiol molecules, leading to the partial substitution of surface Pb atoms with Cd heteroatoms. This hybrid ligand strategy substantially reduces undesired QD fusion in solid films, improving the photophysical and electronic properties. By modulating the thickness of the ITO layer and managing refraction loss through a ZnO layer coating, we improved NIR transparency to above 80%. We combine an NIR light source with a solar simulator to achieve near-ideal spectral matching for a broader range with standard AM1.5G illumination. Enhancements in surface passivation of QDs, improvements in NIR transparency of electrodes, and a spectral matched light source setup help us achieve solar cell power conversion efficiencies of 12.4%, 4.48%, and 1.37% under AM 1.5G, perovskite filter, and silicon filter illuminations, respectively. A record open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.54 V and short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 38.5 mA/cm2 are achieved under AM 1.5G illumination. We attribute these advancements in photovoltaic parameters to the reduction in Urbach tail states and intermediate trap density originating from superior surface passivation of QDs.

DFT investigation on thermoelectric, electronic, optoelectronic, elastic, and structural properties of sodium‐based halide double perovskites Rb2NaSbZ6 (Z = Cl, Br, and I)

AbstractSodium‐based halide double perovskites (HDPs) present a promising alternative to Pb‐based perovskites for safe solar and thermal energy conversion devices due to their high durability and non‐toxic elements. This study examines the electronic, thermoelectric, elastic, optoelectronic, and structural properties of Rb2NaSbZ6 (Z = I, Br, Cl) double perovskite compounds using density functional theory (DFT). These compounds, characterized by a cubic structure, show increasing structural parameters as halogens are substituted from chlorine to iodine. Structural stability is confirmed by evaluating the enthalpy of formation, Gibbs free energy, Born and Huang criteria, and tolerance factor. Pugh's ratio indicates the ductile nature of the compounds. All investigated halide compounds exhibit an indirect band gap ranging from 3.9 to 2.34 eV, with valence and conduction band extrema located at different symmetry points, and a higher effective mass of holes is noted. This study also analyzes the refractive index, optical loss, light absorption, and polarization across the energy range of 0–10 eV. The spectral characteristics indicate that these HDPs are suitable for optoelectronic and photovoltaic devices due to their absorption in the visible and near‐ultraviolet spectra. High figures of merit (0.45–0.6) derived from power factor and thermal conductivity calculations suggest the potential of these compositions as thermoelectric devices. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of these materials, facilitating their further deployment.

Opto-mechanical Synthesis and Radiation protection of Environmentally friendly Nd2O3-doped Ba-Ga-Al-B Glasses

A new Ba-borate glass doped with Nd2O3 was synthesized based on the BaO-Ga2O3-Al2O3-B2O3 composition. Al2O3 is partially replaced by Nd2O3 with 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 (mol%) concentrations. Glass samples were manufactured via traditional melting methods and were characterized based on XRD reflections, Archimedes' density principle, UV-Vis spectrum, Makishima-Mackenzie’s principle, and the free Phy-X/PSD-soft programmed. The produced samples are visibly clear and transparent, with an amorphous nature. The measured density ranged from 3.31 to 3.49 g/cm3, while molar volume was decreased with Nd2O3/Al2O3 substitution. Additionally, the OPD values ranged from 65.366 to 65.789 g atom/l, and the V0 values ranged from 15.298 to 15.200 cc/mol, introducing an inverse relationship. The results indicated that adding neodymium instead of alumina results in a very slight decrease in all calculated elastic moduli and their related parameters. The optical band gap (Eg) value was decreased with the introduction of Nd2O3 while the index of refraction (n) and the width of localized state (EUr) values have been increased. This would be expected due to the Eg is inversely proportion to the n and EUr values. Furthermore, the refraction loss (RL) molar refraction (Rm), and molar polarizability have been estimated. The findings obtained provided useful information regarding the radiation-shielding properties of the glasses under investigation. Additionally, they provide strong support for contemporary ideas of glass's structure and properties, which help create novel glass materials and their uses in radiation shielding.

Anticrossing and Mode Coupling in Bent All-Glass Leakage Channel Microstructured Optical Fibers with Large Mode Area

This paper presents the results of a detailed theoretical study of the bending properties of original all-glass leakage channel microstructured optical fibers (LC MOFs) over a bending radius range from 3 cm to 11 cm. These LC MOFs contain two layers of fluorine-doped silica glass elements with reduced refractive index, different diameters, and different distances between them. We determined the spatial distributions of the electric field components of different modes in addition to the usual parameters such as effective refractive indices, bending losses, and spatial intensity distributions. A detailed analysis showed that three modes for each polarization have to be considered to correctly calculate the bending losses. Two pairs of these three modes couple in two distinct bending radius ranges, specifically near 3.68 cm and near 5.95 cm, and the mode coupling in these pairs is resonant. The resulting bending losses of the LC MOF for two polarizations are very close to each other and have two maxima at bending radii of 3.68 cm and 5.95 cm. However, the nature of these maxima is not resonant; they are caused by the combined influence of all three modes, each of which has specific dependencies of losses and other parameters on the bending radius that exhibit quasi-resonant behavior near the corresponding bending radii.

Optical properties of crystals and two-phase ceramics of the AgCl0.25Br0.75 – AgI system

Research of materials’ optical properties is critical for further development and manufacturing of optical products. While recently, single crystals and two-phase ceramics of the AgCl0.25Br0.75 – AgI system have been developed by the authors. This work is focused on studying the transmission ranges, refractive index dispersion, optical losses, and photoresistance of materials in the AgCl0.25Br0.75 – AgI system, as well as comparing the properties of single-crystals and ceramics. The materials are transparent in the visible and IR regions from 0.49 to 54 um, as well as in the terahertz (far IR and millimeter regions) of 300–1500 um (0.3–1.0 THz). For all compositions, the refractive index in the IR varied from 2.107 to 2.436. The materials’ absorption coefficients were (0.06–6.67) ∙ 10-4 in the middle IR, which is lower compared to other halide materials known and indicates low optical loss. Finally, both single-crystals and two-phase ceramics showed a trend towards an increase in photoresistance with a rise of the AgI content in the AgCl0.25Br0.75 solid solution. After UV irradiation, the materials showed a decrease in transmission in the visible and middle IR (to 10 µm) with negligible loss at a wavelength of 10 µm or more. For a single crystal and two samples of ceramics with a composition of 20 mol. % AgI in AgCl0.25Br0.75, a comparison of properties was conducted in this study. Based on the comparison results, close but not identical values of the refractive indices, an increase in the absorption coefficient for ceramic materials, and a low photoresistance of the sample obtained from the mechanical mixture were revealed. The last two characteristics are associated with the high heterogeneity of two-phase ceramics based on a mechanical mixture, which leads to a deterioration in functional properties. These results prove high prospects for the use of these materials in fiber optics and photonics for medical technologies, thermography, and optoelectronics.

Investigation of structural, electronic, optical, and mechanical properties of perovskite CsPbBr3 material through induced pressure for photovoltaic applications: A DFT Insights

Herein, perovskite CsPbBr3 material was computationally explored at pressure limits from 0.0 to 8.0 GPa using a 5-step (2GPa gap) calculation. CASTEP (Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package) program is used which is based on density functional theory (DFT), with an ultra-soft (US) pseudo-potential (SP) plane wave and the GGA-PBE exchange–correlation functional. When the pressure increases from 0.0 to 8.0 GPa, the bandgap decreases from 1.84 to 0.60 eV. In comparison to higher pressures, the bandgap decreases significantly until 8.0 GPa. The mechanical properties of the compound at various pressures are also investigated, which indicates that the compound is mechanically ductile and stable in nature. Various optical characteristics, such as the refractive index, loss function, absorption coefficient, and reflectivity, have been determined under pressure limits from 0.0 to 8.0 GPa. For solar cell applications, a compound with high absorption, refractive index, and optical conductivity is optimal.

Interpretable machine learning for understanding compositional and testing condition effects on refractive index, density, dielectric constant, and loss tangent of inorganic melts and glasses

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have enabled property-targeted design of glasses. Several machine learning models and open-source tools in the literature allow researchers to predict the optical, physical, mechanical, and electrical properties of glasses as a function of their chemical compositions. However, these properties also depend on testing conditions. In this paper, we train machine learning models by considering composition and wavelength, temperature, and frequency to predict the refractive index, density, and the two electrical properties, i.e., dielectric constant and loss tangent of glasses, respectively. The predictions of trained models are explained using SHAP analysis, revealing that testing conditions, such as wavelength and temperature, interact majorly with network formers while predicting refractive index and density. In the case of electrical properties, network formers and frequency have the highest interactions, followed by network modifiers and intermediates, and hence govern predictions of dielectric constant and loss tangent. Overall, AI/ML models that can predict the properties of glasses as a function of their composition and testing conditions, coupled with SHAP plots, provide a practical tool to develop a range of glasses for application under varying conditions.

Extensive screening of novel BaXH3 (X = V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) perovskites for physical properties and hydrogen storage application: A DFT study

A successful transition to a sustainable economy depends on effective hydrogen storage. To achieve this, we investigate novel inorganic transition metal-based BaXH3 (X = V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) perovskites using Density Functional Theory (DFT). We compute key properties such as structural, electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, and hydrogen storage using the GGA-PBE functional. We calculate lattice constants and unit cell volume, indicate thermochemical stability with the negative formation energy of all compounds, and confirm thermodynamic stability with phonon calculations. Investigations into the band structure and density of states (DOS) show that all compounds are metallic, with BaVH3 and BaCrH3 exhibiting magnetic characteristics. We calculate the optical properties, including refractive index, dielectric function, reflectivity, loss function, conductivity, and absorption. We verified mechanical stability using the Born stability criteria. We calculated the hydrogen storage capacities and desorption temperatures. These results indicate that the studied compounds are potential candidates for hydrogen storage in a green economy.

Exploring potential of lead-free KSn0.5Ge0.5I3 based perovskite solar cell: A combined first-principle DFT and SCAPS-1D study

Perovskite solar cells present a promising alternative to conventional silicon or lead-based solar cells, offering a synergistic blend of cost-effectiveness and potential for elevated power conversion efficiency. We investigated the potential of an innovative KSn0.5Ge0.5I3-based perovskite solar cell (PSC) using density functional theory (DFT) and SCAPS-1D simulation studies. Computational analysis via DFT probed the crystal structure, elastic, mechanical, and optoelectronic properties of KSn0.5Ge0.5I3. Tolerance factor computation (0.94) and negative formation energy (-3.16 eV) affirmed the thermodynamic stability of the orthorhombic phase in KSn0.5Ge0.5I3. Optical variables including refractive index, absorption coefficient, dielectric function, optical loss, and reflectivity, were computed to explore KSn0.5Ge0.5I3 viability in PV applications. Band structure analysis, density of states (DOS), and projected density of states (PDOS) have been used to determine the band gap (∼1.87 eV), effective masses, and mobility of e-/h+. We have conducted SCAPS-1D simulation for diverse PSCs configurations using various holes transport layers (HTLs) and electron transport layers (ETLs), identified IGZO (Eg = 3.05 eV) as a proficient ETL while CuSbS2 (Eg = 1.58 eV) as an effective HTL. A comprehensive investigation of parameters such as absorber layer thickness, shunt and series resistance, donor and acceptor density, absorber defect density, back contact metal, temperature, and interface characteristics was undertaken, and the impact on PV device performances was assessed through current-voltage (IV) and quantum efficiency (Q.E) characteristics curves. These findings underscore the potential of KSn0.5Ge0.5I3 as a promising material for PSCs, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly avenue for future renewable energy.

Deep Learning-Based Simultaneous Temperature- and Curvature-Sensitive Scatterplot Recognition.

Since light propagation in a multimode fiber (MMF) exhibits visually random and complex scattering patterns due to external interference, this study numerically models temperature and curvature through the finite element method in order to understand the complex interactions between the inputs and outputs of an optical fiber under conditions of temperature and curvature interference. The systematic analysis of the fiber's refractive index and bending loss characteristics determined its critical bending radius to be 15 mm. The temperature speckle atlas is plotted to reflect varying bending radii. An optimal end-to-end residual neural network model capable of automatically extracting highly similar scattering features is proposed and validated for the purpose of identifying temperature and curvature scattering maps of MMFs. The viability of the proposed scheme is tested through numerical simulations and experiments, the results of which demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the optimized network model.

First principle investigations of opto-electronic and thermoelectric response of A2TlAsX6 (A = K, Rb; X = Cl, Br) compounds

We have investigated the structural, electronic, optical, and thermoelectric behavior of halide-based double perovskites A2TlAsX6 (A = K, Rb; X = Cl, Br) compounds to reveal their potential in various opto-electronic and thermoelectric applications using first-principle calculations. For the computation of the various properties of A2TlAsX6 (A = K, Rb; X = Cl, Br) compounds, we have used approximations available within density functional theory (DFT). The energy bands and density of states have been used to elucidate the electronic response of the studied compounds, while the interpretation of optical properties is presented in terms of dielectric tensor, absorption coefficient, reflectivity, refraction and energy loss spectra. The investigated compounds exhibit a direct band gap within the energy range of 1.36 to 2.24 eV, indicating the promising nature of these compounds for diverse optoelectronic applications. Moreover, thermoelectric properties such as the figure of merit, power factor, Seebeck coefficient, specific heat, electric and thermal conductivity have also been computed for the studied compounds. Our investigation unveils the remarkable optoelectronic characteristics of the studied perovskites, which can be attributed to their advantageous bandgap and highly effective light absorption capabilities. Furthermore, these perovskites showcase exceptional thermodynamic stability, elevated electrical conductivity, favorable figure of merit (ZT) values, and reduced thermal conductivities. These findings suggest their suitability for applications in optoelectronic devices and thermoelectric applications. In this study, it is found that A2TlAsBr6 compounds exhibit significant absorption in the visible spectrum, rendering them more favorable for optoelectronic applications compared to A2TlAsCl6 compounds. Conversely, for thermoelectric applications, the Cl-based perovskites studied show greater promise than their Br-based counterparts. The modified Becke–Johnson (mBJ) potential emerges as the most precise approach for analyzing the electronic, optical, and thermoelectric characteristics of A2TlAsX6 (where A = K, Rb; X = Cl, Br) perovskites, surpassing other approximations utilized in present study.

Structural, phonon, optical, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of NpX (X = S, Se, Te) chalcogenides: A DFT study

Binary chalcogenides with small Reststrahlen bands in the far infrared and microwave region make them intriguing for IR sensors and radar communication purposes. In this study, we have theoretically investigated the structural, phonon, electronic, optical, IR optical and thermodynamic properties of NpX, where X = S, Se, and Te chalcogenides. The face-centered cubic structure is relaxed to determine the optimized lattice parameters which increased with an increase in the size of involving chalcogen atom. Band structure reveals their metallic nature. The significant contribution of d and f-states of Np and p-states of chalcogens in band formation is evident from the density of state plots. The detailed analysis of optical parameters including real and imaginary parts of dielectric constant and refractive index, optical conductivity, and optical loss exhibit high absorption in the IR region.

DFT based study of copper calcium halide perovskite nanomaterials for optoelectronic and energy applications

The mechanical, electronic, optical, and thermoelectric analyses of CuCaX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) have been done using DFT based TB-mBJ approach. The stability of CuCaX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) has been confirmed from the enthalpy of formation; values for CuCaCl3, CuCaBr3, and CuCaI3 are −1.07 eV, −1.55 eV, and −2.15 eV, respectively. The phonon spectra plot is also discussed, and the phonon dispersion analysis confirms that the CuCaX3 systems are dynamically stable since no imaginary modes are observed. The modified Becke-Johnson exchange potential is used to evaluate the opto-electronic and thermo-electric properties. By replacing anions (Cl to I), the band gap of the studied material in the visible region has been tailored, from 2.9 eV to 2.65 eV, for renewable energy devices. In addition, various optical properties such as dielectric constant, refraction, absorption, optical conductivity, and optical loss factor have been analyzed for optoelectronic applications. With the replacement of anions (Cl to I), the peaks of maximum intensities shifted to lower energy to values of 7.2 eV, 6.2 eV and 5 eV for CuCaCl3, CuCaBr3 and CuCaI3 respectively. Furthermore, the BoltzTrap code has been used to discuss thermal conductivity, power factor, Hall coefficient, specific capacitance and electron densities in detail for thermoelectric applications. The CuCaX3 family of perovskites has been found to have bandgaps falling in the visible region for light-emitting diodes (LEDs). These also exhibit high thermal efficiency, making them potential multifunctional candidates for optoelectronic and energy harvesting applications.

Electronic and optical properties of rare earth tetraborides RB4 (R=ND, TB, DY, and ER): First-principles calculations

The electronic structures and optical properties of tetraborides RB4 ([Formula: see text], Tb, Dy, and Er) are systematically investigated through the first-principles technique. The band structure and density of states (DOS) show that RM4 has metal and magnetic characteristics. The DOS near the Fermi is dominated by R-4f states, which are responsible for the magnetic moments. The optical properties including refractive index, conductivity, absorptivity, reflectivity, and loss function are obtained based on the complex dielectric functions. The static dielectric constants and static refractive are presented. The absorptivity results indicate that tetraborides exhibit excellent optical absorption in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) regions. The reflectivity shows that RB4 is an ideal near-infrared reflective material. This study provides theoretical insights into the optical applications of tetraborides.

Selection of thin-film-integrable substrates for THz modulator

The integrable substrate for THz modulation directly influences both the quality of films and THz absorption. Currently, the available THz substrate candidate library is still not clear. Here, we have carried out a systematic investigation of commonly used commercial substrates, including Si, quartz SiO2, MgO, Al2O3, GdScO3 and TbScO3 in the range of 0.4–1.6[Formula: see text]THz. It is found that low resistance Si, TSO and GSO are certainly not appropriate for THz light modulation due to their relatively higher absorption and dielectric constant, while the rest show better THz transmittance, low refractive index and loss. However, the dielectric constant and refractive index of high resistance Si are generally two times larger than quartz SiO2, Al2O3 and MgO. Compared with Al2O3 and MgO, quartz SiO2 shows at least 50% lower dielectric constant, refractive index and absorption, making it the best candidate. Our research is believed to build the rich substrate candidate library for THz range light modulation.

Optical red shift spectra in CuxGe32S68-x films for infrared and solar cell window applications

The physical characteristics of Cu-doped ternary glasses have been analyzed. The CuxGe32S68 − x (x = 0.0, 4.0, 7.0, 10.0 and 13.0 at.%) chalcogenide alloys have been manufactured by the conventional melt quenching method. The glass densities (ρ) increase with the Cu amounts, whereas the main atomic volume (Vm) decreases. Transmission and reflectance were measured in the wavelength range of 0.35–2.5 μm. The generated envelops (RM and Rm) of reflectance spectra were used to calculate the film thickness (t), the refractive index (n), and the extinction coefficient (k). With the increase in Cu contents from 0.0 to 13.0 at.%., the n values increased from 2.07 to 2.43, whereas the optical gap (Eg) decreased from 2.81 eV to 2.42 eV. The obtained results were explained in terms of electronic polarizability, plasma frequency, metallization parameter, and refraction losses, which have been calculated to understand the need for amorphous chalcogenide compositions that can be applied for optical device purposes. The effect of Cu content on the non-linear index of refraction (n2) and third-order susceptibility (χ (3)) has been studied. The value of n2 increased from 13.88 × 10−12 to 60.2 × 10−12 esu, whereas the value of χ (3) rose from 7.6 × 10−11 to 38.83 × 10−13 esu with the addition of denser and higher atomic radius elements Cu in the CGS system. Overall, the composition of Cu13Ge32S55 is suitable, as all-optical parameters show the maximum values that can be used for optical device purposes.

Development in gelatin-matrix composite films: The incorporation of vitamin C adducts enhances the optical behaviors of gelatin films†

The chemical cross-linking method continues to be widely recognized as the most efficient and popular strategy for modifying gelatin. However, the exploration of enhancing the optical and electrical characteristics of gelatins through the use of organic molecules is still in its early stages. In this investigation, two stable dopants of ascorbic acid adducts were synthesized via the smooth and facile procedure, and their identities were validated through Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques, including FT-1H NMR, and FT-13C NMR. The novel gelatin-matrix composite films were fabricated by blending vitamin C adducts with various gelatins including pork gelatin (PG), fish gelatin (FG), bovine gelatin (BG), and chicken gelatin (CG) using the casting method. The chemical and homogenous interactions between dopants and gelatin matrixes were verified through several spectroscopic techniques. The XRD spectra of the composite films show a significant elevation in their amorphous structures when compared to the pure gelatin host. The FT-IR spectra of both the gelatin matrix and their composites demonstrate strong chemical interactions among the functional groups within the gelatin composite films. The UV–vis spectra provided the primary optical information for the synthesized hybrid film. Remarkably, the index of refraction (n) and dielectric loss (ɛi) magnitudes are raised, while the average optical band gap energy (Eg) decreased from 4.9 (pure gelatin) to 3.4 eV. By applying Tauc's model, we successfully recognized the direct electronic transition occurring between the valence band (VB) and the conduction band (CB). The results of our research highlights that minor changes in the adduct composition significantly impact optical and textural properties in polymer composites, offering a plethora of potential technological opportunities. These applications include materials packaging, blocking of harmful light, and encapsulation purposes.

Interferogram analysis of X-pinch plasmas with a synthetic dark-field Schlieren image

The Mach-Zehnder interferometer and dark-field Schlieren imaging systems are developed to diagnose high electron densities of the X-pinch plasmas. Interferogram analysis can be challenging due to stiff electron density gradients of the X-pinch plasmas. This stiff gradient results in complex fringe patterns which may lead to miscounted indices of the fringes, and even refraction losses. To address these challenges, the geometrical acceptance angle of the imaging system is increased to reduce the refraction losses caused by the X-pinch plasmas. This is achieved by using physically larger optics. Results show that the imaging systems can detect higher line-integrated electron densities. Additionally, to verify the reliability of interferogram analysis results, a synthetic dark-field Schlieren image generated based on the interferogram is qualitatively compared to the measured dark-field Schlieren image which is simultaneously taken with the interferogram. Practicality of the synthetic Schlieren images is examined by comparing them with the measured Schlieren images.

DFT Investigation of the Structural, Electronic, and Optical Properties of AsTi (Bi)-Phase ZnO under Pressure for Optoelectronic Applications

Pressure-induced phases of ZnO have attracted considerable attention owing to their excellent electronic and optical properties. This study provides a vital insight into the electronic structure, optical characteristics, and structural properties of the AsTi (Bi) phase of ZnO under high pressure via the DFT-based first-principles approach. The phase transformation from BN(Bk) to the Bi phase of ZnO is estimated at 16.1 GPa using local density approximation, whereas the properties are explored precisely by the hybrid functional B3LYP. The electronic structure exploration confirms that the Bi phase is an insulator with a wider direct bandgap, which expands by increasing pressure. The dielectric function evidenced that the Bi phase behaves as a dielectric in the visible region and a metallic material at 18 eV. Optical features such as the refractive index and loss function revealed the transparent nature of the Bi phase in the UV range. Moreover, the considered Bi phase is found to possess a high absorption coefficient in the ultraviolet region. This research provides strong theoretical support for the development of Bi-phase ZnO-based optoelectronic and photovoltaic devices.

Threshold plasticity of SOI-GST microring resonators.

Spiking Neural Networks, also known as third generation Artificial Neural Networks, have widely attracted more attention because of their advantages of behaving more biologically interpretable and being more suitable for hardware implementation. Apart from using traditional synaptic plasticity, neural networks can also be based on threshold plasticity, achieving similar functionality. This can be implemented using e.g. the Bienenstock, Cooper and Munro rule. This is a classical unsupervised learning mechanism in which the threshold is closely related to the output of the post-synaptic neuron. We show in simulations that the threshold characteristics of the nonlinear effects of a microring resonator integrated with Ge2Sb2Te5 demonstrate some complex dependencies on the intracavity refractive index, attenuation, and wavelength detuning of the incident optical pulse, and exhibit class II excitability. We also show that we are able to modify the threshold power of the microring resonator by the changes of the refractive index and loss of Ge2Sb2Te5, due to transitions between the crystalline and amorphous states. Simulations show that the presented device exhibits both excitatory and inhibitory learning behavior, either lowering or raising the threshold.