Near-GHz Switching in Polymer-Based Artificial Synapses—Characterization and Switching Mechanisms

In this talk I will describe an organic electrochemical neuromorphic device that switches at record-low energy (&lt;0.1 fJ projected, &lt;10 pJ measured) and voltage (&lt; 1mV, measured), displays &gt;500 distinct, non-volatile conductance states within a ~1 V operating range. Our organic neuromorphic device works by combining ionic (protonic) and electronic conduction and is essentially similar to a concentration battery. Our synapses display outstanding speed (&lt;20 ns) and endurance achieving over 10⁹ switching events with very little degradation all the way to high temperature (up to 120°C). These performance metrics are impressive yet very surprising for polymers that are usually perceived as slow and subject to degradation. In this talk I will describe the unique structural properties that lead to such fast switching and high endurance which we deduce from <i>operando</i> electrochemical characterization using synchrotron radiation.