Artificial Synapses based on the Photoconductance of LaAlO₃/SrTiO₃ Quantum Wells

by Yu Chen, Laboratory of Multifunctional Thin Films and Complex Structures (MULFOX) Group at ICMAB-CSIC

Date: Thursday, 14 November 2019
Time: 11:30 am
Venue: ICMAB - Sala d'Actes Carles Miravitlles

Abstract: 
Inspired by neurobiology, neuromorphic computing is proposed to cope with complex cognitional tasks through emulating spiking neural networks consisting of artificial synapses, aiming at overcoming the von Neumann bottleneck in conventional computational paradigms. In this Thesis, we have investigated the optical properties of the LaAlO₃/SrTiO₃ interfaces, which can be exploited as artificial optical synapses due to their wavelength-dependent time-correlated photoconductance.

We discuss the physical origin of the observed correlated photoresponse in epitaxial LaAlO₃/SrTiO₃ interface. Additionally, we have explored the photoconductance of amorphous LaAlO₃/SrTiO₃ interfaces, where the conductance is sensitive to illumination conditions in well-lighted environments. We include a discussion about the perspective of using the persistent photoconductance of LaAlO3/SrTiO3 quantum wells to applications in neuromorphic vision.   

Supervisors:

• Dr. Gervasi Herranz, ICMAB-CSIC

• President: Dr. Jean Fompeyrine,  IBM Research GmbH, Zurich Research Laboratory, Departament of  Neuromorphic Devices & Systems, Switzerland
• Secretary: Prof. Valerio Pruneri, Institut de Ciències Fotòniques (ICFO) , Departament of Optoelectronics, Spain
• Vocal:  Dr. María Teresa Gotarredona Serrano, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Microelectronica de Sevilla, Spain