Josephson junction simulation of neurons

TL;DR

This paper introduces superconducting circuits with Josephson junctions that simulate neuron behaviors, enabling large, fast, and scalable neural network models for studying complex neural dynamics.

Contribution

It presents a novel superconducting circuit model of neurons that reproduces key neural behaviors and can be scaled into large, fast networks using existing fabrication technology.

Findings

Reproduces action potentials, refractory periods, and firing thresholds.

Can be coupled to mimic synaptic connections.

Operates orders of magnitude faster than traditional simulations.

Abstract

With the goal of understanding the intricate behavior and dynamics of collections of neurons, we present superconducting circuits containing Josephson junctions that model biologically realistic neurons. These "Josephson junction neurons" reproduce many characteristic behaviors of biological neurons such as action potentials, refractory periods, and firing thresholds. They can be coupled together in ways that mimic electrical and chemical synapses. Using existing fabrication technologies, large interconnected networks of Josephson junction neurons would operate fully in parallel. They would be orders of magnitude faster than both traditional computer simulations and biological neural networks. Josephson junction neurons provide a new tool for exploring long-term large-scale dynamics for networks of neurons.