Tunable presynaptic weighting in optoelectronic spiking neurons built with laser-coupled resonant tunneling diodes

Zhang, Weikang and Hejda, Matěj and Malysheva, Ekaterina and Ali Al-Taai, Qusay Raghib and Javaloyes, Julien and Wasige, Edward and Figueiredo, José M. L. and Dolores-Calzadilla, Victor and Romeira, Bruno and Hurtado, Antonio (2023) Tunable presynaptic weighting in optoelectronic spiking neurons built with laser-coupled resonant tunneling diodes. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 56 (8). 084001. ISSN 0022-3727 (https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6463/aca914)

[thumbnail of Zhang-etal-JPDAP-2022-Tuneable-presynaptic-weighting-in-optoelectronic-spiking-neurons-built-with-laser-coupled]
Preview
 Text. Filename: Zhang_etal_JPDAP_2022_Tuneable_presynaptic_weighting_in_optoelectronic_spiking_neurons_built_with_laser_coupled.pdf
Final Published Version
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 logo
Download (1MB)| Preview

Abstract

Optoelectronic artificial spiking neurons are regarded as promising core elements for novel photonic neuromorphic computing hardware. In this work, we investigate a modular optoelectronic spiking neuron built with an excitable resonant tunneling diode (RTD) coupled to a photodetector and a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). This work provides the first experimental demonstration of amplitude control of the fired optical spikes in the electrical-to-optical part of the artificial neuron, therefore introducing a simple way of weighting of the presynaptic spikes. This is achieved by tuning the VCSEL bias current, hence providing a straightforward, high-speed, hardware-friendly option for the weighting of optical spiking signals. Furthermore, we validate the feasibility of this layout using a simulation of a monolithically integrated, RTD-based nanoscale optoelectronic spiking neuron model, which confirms the system’s capability to deliver weighted optical spiking signals at GHz firing rates. These results demonstrate a high degree of flexibility of RTD-based artificial optoelectronic spiking neurons and highlight their potential towards compact, high-speed photonic spiking neural networks and light-enabled neuromorphic hardware.

CORE (COnnecting REpositories)