Retina-Inspired Structurally Tunable Synaptic Perovskite Nanocones

Artificial photonic synapses with morphologically controlled photoreception, allowing for area-dependent tunable light reception as well as information storage and learning, have potential for application in emerging photo-interactive neuro-computing technologies. Herein, an artificially intelligent (AI) photonic synapse with area-density-tunable perovskite nano-cone arrays templated in a self-assembled block copolymer (BCP) is presented, which is based on a field effect transistor with a floating gate of photoreceptive perovskite crystal arrays preferentially synthesized in a micro-phase-segregated BCP film. These arrays are capable of electric charge (de)trapping and photo-excited charge generation, and they exhibit versatile synaptic functions of the nervous system, including paired-pulse facilitation and long-term potentiation, with excellent reliability. The area-density variable perovskite floating gate developed by off-centered spin coating process allows for emulating the human retina with a position-dependent spatial distribution of cones. 60 × 12 arrays of the developed synapse devices exhibit position-dependent dual functions of receptor and synapse. They are AI and exhibit a pattern recognition accuracy up to ≈90% when examined using the Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology handwritten digit pattern recognition test.