Bio-inspired artificial synaptic transistors: evolution from innovative basic units to system integration

Abstract

The investigation of transistor-based artificial synapses in bioinspired information processing is undergoing booming exploration, and is the stable building block for brain-like computing. Given that the storage and computing separation architecture of von Neumann construction is not conducive to the current explosive information processing, it is critical to accelerate the connection between hardware systems and software simulations of intelligent synapses. So far, various works based on a transistor-based synaptic system successfully simulated functions similar to biological nerves in the human brain. However, the influence of the semiconductor and the device structural design on synaptic properties is still poorly linked. This review concretely emphasizes the recent advances in the novel structure design of semiconductor materials and devices used in synaptic transistors, not only from a single multifunction synaptic device but also to system application with various connected routes and related working mechanisms. Finally, crises and opportunities in transistor-based synaptic interconnection are discussed and predicted.