Low-Cost, High-Efficiency Aluminum Zinc Oxide Synaptic Transistors: Blue LED Stimulation for Enhanced Neuromorphic Computing Applications

TL;DR

This paper introduces a low-cost, high-performance synaptic transistor made from aluminum-doped zinc oxide that mimics brain functions and could improve neuromorphic computing.

Contribution

The novel contribution is the fabrication of an AZO synaptic transistor with high efficiency and strong synaptic behavior under blue LED stimulation.

Findings

The AZO synaptic transistor shows high responsiveness under UV laser illumination.

It achieves a PPF index of 179.6% and a current gain of 4.3 under blue LED stimulation.

Abstract

Neuromorphic devices are electronic devices that mimic the information processing methods of neurons and synapses, enabling them to perform multiple tasks simultaneously with low power consumption and exhibit learning ability. However, their large-scale production and efficient operation remain a challenge. Herein, we fabricated an aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) synaptic transistor via solution-based spin-coating. The transistor is characterized by low production costs and high performance. It demonstrates high responsiveness under UV laser illumination. In addition, it exhibits effective synaptic behaviors under blue LED illumination, indicating high-efficiency operation. The paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) index measured from optical stimulus modulation was 179.6%, indicating strong synaptic connectivity and effective neural communication and processing. Furthermore, by modulating the blue LED light pulse frequency, an excitatory postsynaptic current gain of 4.3 was achieved, demonstrating efficient neuromorphic functionality. This study shows that AZO synaptic transistors are promising candidates for artificial synaptic devices.

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