Brain-inspired nanophotonic spike-based devices for neuromorphic light-emitting and sensing AI applications

Abstract

Despite remarkable advances in neuromorphic photonics, nanophotonic devices enabling neuron-like spiking emission and detection—needed for spike-based computation—are still at an early stage of development. Here, we present recent achievements on a photonic neuro-architecture based on III–V integrated spiking circuit nodes using nanoscale quantum resonant tunneling diodes (nanoRTDs) with negative differential resistance. We discuss the integration of nanoRTDs with nano-photodetectors (nanoPDs), nano-light-emitting diodes (nanoLEDs) and other light sources (e.g., VCSELs), to realize on-chip sensory neuron emitter and receiver spiking nodes. The RTD-based nanophotonic neuron devices and circuits for sensing and spike processing multi-functionalities pave the way for energy-efficient signal processing and sensory neuromorphic systems in edge computing AI applications.