Photonic Memristor for Future Computing: A Perspective

Abstract

Photonic computing and neuromorphic computing could address the inherent limitations of traditional von Neumann architecture and gradually invalidate Moore’s law. As photonics applications are capable of storing and processing data in an optical manner with unprecedented bandwidth and high speed, twoâ terminal photonic memristors with a remote optical control of resistive switching behaviors at defined wavelengths ensure the benefit of onâ chip integration, low power consumption, multilevel data storage, and a large variation margin, suggesting promising advantages for both photonic and neuromorphic computing. Herein, the development of photonic memristors is reviewed, as well as their application in photonic computing and emulation on optogeneticsâ modulated artificial synapses. Different photoactive materials acting as both photosensing and storage media are discussed in terms of their opticalâ tunable memory behaviors and underlying resistive switching mechanism with consideration of photogating and photovoltaic effects. Moreover, lightâ involved logic operations, systemâ level integration, and lightâ controlled artificial synaptic memristors along with improved learning tasks performance are presented. Furthermore, the challenges in the field are discussed, such as the lack of a comprehensive understanding of microscopic mechanisms under light illumination and a general constraint of inferior nearâ infrared (NIR) sensitivity.The development of photonic memristors and their application in photonic computing and emulation on optogeneticsâ modulated artificial synapses are reviewed. Photoactive materials as photosensing and storage media are discussed, considering their opticalâ tunable memory behavior and resistive switching mechanism including photogating and photovoltaic effect. Lightâ involved logic operations, system level integration, and artificial synaptic memristors along with improved learning tasks performance are presented.