Optical neurochip with learning capability

Abstract
A dynamic optical neurochip with variable synaptic interconnection capability has been reported. A novel type of photodetector called a variable sensitivity photodetector has been developed for the synaptic interconnection of neural networks. It utilizes a metal-semiconductor-metal structure whose quantum efficiency can be modulated by an applied bias voltage. The fabricated dynamic optical neurochip consists of an 8*8 variable sensitivity photodetector (VSPD) array and an 8 line-shaped LED array. It is shown that this device is suitable for learning in neural networks. The application to pattern classification is demonstrated.