Recent progress of organic photonic synaptic transistors for artificial visual systems: structure configuration and innovative applications

Abstract

Realizing an artificial visual system (AVS) integrating information perception, processing, and memory promotes the development of artificial intelligence technology. Organic photonic synaptic transistors (OPSTs) are promising candidates to mimic the human visual nervous system, as they combine the functions of light sensing and synaptic plasticity into one device. This article provides a comprehensive and systematic review of OPSTs used for AVSs. Firstly, the typical structures of OPSTs were introduced. These structures include a single organic semiconductor layer, bulk heterojunction, plane heterojunction, floating gate, and other novel structures. The functional materials, device performance, and characteristics, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each device structure, were summarized. Following this, the innovative applications of OPSTs in AVSs were discussed, including image processing, visual adaptation, and motion detection. Finally, the main challenges and future developments in this field were considered.