Photoelectric Synaptic Layering for Low-Power Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current synaptic devices for neuromorphic systems lack efficient integration, ultra-low power operation, and high recognition accuracy, which are essential for mimicking biological neural networks.

Innovation Solution

A synaptic device is manufactured using a nonlinear photoelectric device with a synaptic mimic layer comprising a hole transport layer and an electron transport layer, formed through chemical bath deposition or spin coating, incorporating materials like Zn, O, S, Cu, In, and Ga, and electrodes made using sputtering or thermal evaporation, enabling efficient light-to-current conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional deposition methods are used for forming transport layers, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer formation precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the deposition method from conventional vacuum deposition to solution-based deposition, altering the physical-chemical parameters of the manufacturing process. This enables the formation of high-quality Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and Zn(O,S) transport layers using simple solution processing techniques, reducing equipment complexity while maintaining layer quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical vacuum deposition systems with chemical solution-based deposition processes. This substitution eliminates the need for complex vacuum equipment and enables low-cost, scalable manufacturing of synaptic devices with preserved layer formation precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If highly integrated synaptic arrays are implemented, then recognition accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional electronic synaptic devices with photoelectric synaptic devices that utilize light-induced photoelectric effects. This substitution enables ultra-low power operation by using photons instead of electrons for signal transmission, while maintaining high recognition accuracy through the nonlinear photoelectric characteristics of the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and Zn(O,S) layers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational mechanism from electrical to photoelectric, fundamentally altering the energy consumption parameters. The photoelectric synaptic device achieves high integration and accurate recognition with minimal power consumption by exploiting the natural photoelectric conversion properties of the semiconductor layers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device achieves paired pulse facilitation values of about 1.3 to 1.0, demonstrating improved power conversion efficiency and light soaking effects, effectively mimicking synaptic functions for learning and memory processes.

Implementation Method 1

a synaptic device for outputting current by converting light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

forming the electron transport layer by chemical bath deposition or spin coating using a solution containing hydroxide ions, a zinc precursor solution, and a sulfur precursor solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bath deposition: Chemical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 3

the forming of the first electrode may include at least one of sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, thermal evaporation, molecular beam epitaxy, or chemical vapor deposition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSputtering: Sputtering

Data Source

PatentUS20230361228A1Synaptic device and its manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2023.11.09 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST
  • US20230361228A1 patent drawing
  • US20230361228A1 patent drawing
  • US20230361228A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a method of manufacturing a synaptic device. The method includes forming a first electrode, forming a synaptic mimic layer including a hole transport layer and an electron transport layer on the first electrode, and forming a second electrode on the synaptic mimic layer, wherein the forming of the synaptic mimic layer includes forming the electron transport layer on the hole transport layer through a solution process.