Single atom precise, ultrafast, and universal emulation of biological synapses using atomically thin vertical heterostructures

Turfanda A., Ünlü H.

Journal of Applied Physics, vol.132, no.12, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 132 Issue: 12
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1063/5.0112920
  • Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aerospace Database, Applied Science & Technology Source, Chemical Abstracts Core, Compendex, Computer & Applied Sciences, INSPEC, zbMATH
  • Istanbul Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

© 2022 Author(s).We propose three vertical heterostructures of two-dimensional materials composed of MoS 2 and AlN single layers to emulate biological synaptic behaviors. We aim to show a so-called healthy synaptic behavior with an N vacancy-defected heterostructure, dysfunctional synaptic behavior with a pristine heterostructure, and repaired synaptic behaviors using an N intercalated heterostructure. We compare the abilities of those proposed artificial synapses using density functional theory, Boltzmann transport methods, and real-time time dependent density functional theory. We find that the vacancy-defected heterostructure can mimic the biological synaptic behaviors better than the others. We conclude a relation between learning abilities and synaptic abilities. A combination of logic and memory abilities is positively correlated with synaptic abilities. These results are significant to emulate the brain on a large scale, with ultrathin and low power consumption heterostructures.