Ryoichi Ishihara

Associate Professor, Group leader

Qutech, Dep. Quantum and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Delft University of Technology

Ishihara-lab focuses on the integration technologies for unconventional electronic systems; quantum computers, quantum sensors, neuromorphic computers, and biodegradable sensors. Our work involves new materials, scalable fabrication of electronic and photonic devices, and 3D heterogeneous integration, aiming to realize unconventional electronic systems.

Deposition and testing of 2D optomemristive neuron for photonic waveguide coupling

In optomemristive materials, the resistance of the material changes with the history of applied voltage or light. This behavior can be used to mimic the synaptic functions of the brain. Coupling 2D optomemristive neurons with photonic waveguides is particularly promising for realizing large-scale neuromorphic computing systems because photonic systems can operate at speeds much higher than electronic counterparts, provide energy efficient and parallel data transmission, improved miniaturization and memory/learning functions, etc.

However, photonic integration of optomemristive neurons is challenging. The effective and deterministic deposition of optomemristive materials on photonic waveguides and their material stability and functional reliability after waveguide coupling have to be investigated carefully. In this project, we aim to develop an optimal process recipe for efficient deposition and coupling of 2D optomemristive neurons with photonic waveguides as a first step towards a large-scale photonic integrated neuromorphic system.

Project goal/tasks:

• Identify promising 2D optomemristive neuron candidates and suitable photonic materials for effective waveguide coupling.
• Design and fabricate photonic waveguides for photonic integration
• Develop fabrication techniques for depositing 2D optomemristive materials on waveguides.
• Optical testing of waveguide coupling and optomemristive behavior of the deposited materials.

References:

[1]. Syed, G. S., Zhou, Y., Warner, J. & Bhaskaran, H. Atomically thin optomemristive feedback neurons. Nat Nanotechnol 1–8 (2023)

[2]. Guo, X., Xiang, J., Zhang, Y. & Su, Y. Integrated Neuromorphic Photonics: Synapses, Neurons, and Neural Networks. Adv Photonics Res 2, 2000212 (2021).

[3]. Meng, J., Chen, L., Wang, T. & Zhang, D. W. Novel brain‐inspired optomemristive feedback neuron for neuromorphic computing. BrainX 1, (2023).

[4]. Goi, E., Zhang, Q., Chen, X., Luan, H. & Gu, M. Perspective on photonic memristive neuromorphic computing. PhotoniX 1, 3 (2020).

Interested? Please contact Ryoichi Ishihara r.ishihara@tudelft.nl or Salahuddin Nur <S.Nur@tudelft.nl>