Spike propagation in a nanolaser-based optoelectronic neuron

Ortega-Piwonka, Ignacio and Hejda, Matěj and Alanis, Juan and Lourenço, João and Hurtado, Antonio and Figueiredo, José and Romeira, Bruno and Javaloyes, Julien (2022) Spike propagation in a nanolaser-based optoelectronic neuron. Optical Materials Express, 12 (7). pp. 2679-2696. ISSN 2159-3930 (https://doi.org/10.1364/OME.451706)

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Abstract

With the recent development of artificial intelligence and deep neural networks, alternatives to the Von Neumann architecture are in demand to run these algorithms efficiently in terms of speed, power and component size. In this theoretical study, a neuromorphic, optoelectronic nanopillar metal-cavity consisting of a resonant tunneling diode (RTD) and a nanolaser diode (LD) is demonstrated as an excitable pulse generator. With the proper configuration, the RTD behaves as an excitable system while the LD translates its electronic output into optical pulses, which can be interpreted as bits of information. The optical pulses are characterized in terms of their width, amplitude, response delay, distortion and jitter times. Finally, two RTD-LD units are integrated via a photodetector and their feasibility to generate and propagate optical pulses is demonstrated. Given its low energy consumption per pulse and high spiking rate, this device has potential applications as building blocks in neuromorphic processors and spiking neural networks.

ORCID iDs

Ortega-Piwonka, Ignacio, Hejda, Matěj ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4493-9426, Alanis, Juan, Lourenço, João, Hurtado, Antonio ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4448-9034, Figueiredo, José, Romeira, Bruno and Javaloyes, Julien;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)