Artificial optoelectronic spiking neuron based on a resonant tunnelling diode coupled to a vertical cavity surface emitting laser

Excitable optoelectronic devices represent one of the key building blocks for implementation of artificial spiking neurons in neuromorphic (brain-inspired) photonic systems. This work introduces and experimentally investigates an opto-electro-optical (O/E/O) artificial neuron built with a resonant t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nanophotonics (Berlin, Germany) Germany), 2023-03, Vol.12 (5), p.857-867
Main Authors: Hejda, Matěj, Malysheva, Ekaterina, Owen-Newns, Dafydd, Ali Al-Taai, Qusay Raghib, Zhang, Weikang, Ortega-Piwonka, Ignacio, Javaloyes, Julien, Wasige, Edward, Dolores-Calzadilla, Victor, Figueiredo, José M. L., Romeira, Bruno, Hurtado, Antonio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Artificial intelligence
Integrated circuits
Lasers
Memory
Neural networks
neuromorphic photonics
Neurons
optical computing
Optoelectronic devices
photonic neuron
Photonics
Refractory period
RTD
Semiconductors
Spiking
Transmitters
Tunnel diodes
VCSEL
Vertical cavity surface emission lasers
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Summary:Excitable optoelectronic devices represent one of the key building blocks for implementation of artificial spiking neurons in neuromorphic (brain-inspired) photonic systems. This work introduces and experimentally investigates an opto-electro-optical (O/E/O) artificial neuron built with a resonant tunnelling diode (RTD) coupled to a photodetector as a receiver and a vertical cavity surface emitting laser as a transmitter. We demonstrate a well-defined excitability threshold, above which the neuron produces optical spiking responses with characteristic neural-like refractory period. We utilise its fan-in capability to perform in-device coincidence detection (logical AND) and exclusive logical OR (XOR) tasks. These results provide first experimental validation of deterministic triggering and tasks in an RTD-based spiking optoelectronic neuron with both input and output optical (I/O) terminals. Furthermore, we also investigate in simulation the prospects of the proposed system for nanophotonic implementation in a monolithic design combining a nanoscale RTD element and a nanolaser; therefore demonstrating the potential of integrated RTD-based excitable nodes for low footprint, high-speed optoelectronic spiking neurons in future neuromorphic photonic hardware.
ISSN:2192-8606
2192-8614
2192-8614
DOI:10.1515/nanoph-2022-0362