Neuron Surface Emitting Laser (NeuronSEL): Spiking Regimes and Negative Differential Resistance in Solitary Multi-junction VCSELs

TL;DR

The paper introduces NeuronSEL, a compact multi-junction VCSEL that mimics neural spiking behavior and features, demonstrating potential for scalable neuromorphic photonic systems in sensing and computing.

Contribution

It presents a novel VCSEL-based laser exhibiting neural-like spiking and nonlinear dynamics, enabling optical neural functionalities and scalable network architectures.

Findings

NeuronSEL exhibits neural-like spiking and refractory behavior.

Demonstrated optical processing functions like coincidence detection and XOR.

Proposed scalable array network for classification tasks.

Abstract

Neuromorphic photonics is emerging as a powerful platform for fast and efficient optical information processing and sensing. However, future brain-inspired photonic systems require compact and scalable light sources, capable of generating the neuro-mimetic optical signals needed for their operation. This work demonstrates a single-stack laser that delivers optical and electrical neural-like spiking emission under solitary operation. Termed the Neuron Surface-Emitting Laser (NeuronSEL), this compact, multi-junction Vertical-Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) exhibits non-linear Negative Differential Resistance (NDR), similar to that observed in memristive devices. Leveraging this NDR behaviour enables the novel demonstration of multiple neuronal features in the NeuronSEL including refractoriness and threshold-/integrate-and-fire dynamics. We demonstrate the NeuronSEL's behaviour as an optical spiking neuron and its ability to perform processing functions, such as coincidence detection and exclusive OR operations. Its scalability is illustrated by proposing a network based on an array of NeuronSELs, able to perform classification tasks. The NeuronSEL emerges as a strong candidate for practical and scalable neuromorphic photonic hardware, with potential impact across a range of applications in optical sensing, communications and computing technologies, whilst benefitting from the inherent advantages of VCSEL technology -low manufacturing cost, compactness, efficiency, vertical emission, and straightforward integration into large arrayed-structures and networks.