Neuromorphic Thin-Film-Devices for Process-In-Sensor Applications

These days, the development of sensory systems for observing the surrounding environment information is drawing a lot of attention in various fields such as self-driving, security, robotics, and internet of things (IoT). In order to efficiently convert and recognize an external stimulus into an electrical signal, the high-performance sensory system is required. However, conventional sensor devices have been difficult to maintain and pre-process the transformed information due to their rapid recovery properties. In this regard, the human-like neuromorphic sensory systems that can efficiently recognize external information by sensing and memorizing the incoming stimulus signals is emerging. Nevertheless, to interpret incoming information, many electronic systems often need more complementary components, such as various filters or logically connected circuit structure. Such architectural complexity can limit the development of high-density and high-resolution system.<br/>In this talk, neuromorphic sensory systems based on thin-film-devices such as amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (<i>a</i>-IGZO) and CNT thin-film-transistors(TFTs)/circuits are demonstrated by constructing hybrid heterojunction structure with various nanostructured materials as a sensing material. Specifically, through utilizing a quantum dot, nano-scaled materials, and metal chalcogenide layers integrated with <i>a</i>-IGZO TFTs exhibits evidently enhanced environmental detection ability with neuromorphic memory function. Furthermore, we will discuss a promising strategy for the facile artificial sensory systems such as neuromorphic olfactory, self-defensive, and auto controllable visual system that have low power and small size which are significant factors in neuromorphic applications.