Neuromorphic nanocluster networks: Critical role of the substrate in nano-link formation

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to explore how gold nanoclusters form and break synaptic bridges on a carbon substrate, highlighting the substrate's critical role in neuromorphic nanocluster network dynamics.

Contribution

It provides an atomistic understanding of synapse formation and rupture in neuromorphic nanocluster networks, emphasizing the substrate's influence on these processes.

Findings

Gold atom diffusion along the substrate drives bridge formation.

A threshold bias voltage is required to induce bridge rupture.

Substrate effects are crucial for synapse dynamics in nanocluster networks.

Abstract

Atomic cluster-based networks represent a promising architecture for the realization of neuromorphic computing systems, which may overcome some of the limitations of the current computing paradigm. The formation and breakage of synapses between the clusters are of utmost importance for the functioning of these computing systems. This paper reports the results of molecular dynamics simulations of synapse (bridge) formation at elevated temperatures and thermal breaking processes between 2.8 nanometer-sized Au$_{1415}$ clusters deposited on a carbon substrate, a model system. Crucially, we find that the bridge formation process is driven by the diffusion of gold atoms along the substrate, however small the gap between the clusters themselves. The complementary simulations of the bridge-breaking process reveal the existence of a threshold bias voltage to activate bridge rupture via Joule heating. These results provide an atomistic-level understanding of the fundamental dynamical processes occurring in neuromorphic cluster arrays.