Amorphous BN-Based Synaptic Device with High Performance in Neuromorphic Computing

Materials (Basel). 2023 Oct 15;16(20):6698. doi: 10.3390/ma16206698.

Abstract

The von Neumann architecture has faced challenges requiring high-fulfillment levels due to the performance gap between its processor and memory. Among the numerous resistive-switching random-access memories, the properties of hexagonal boron nitride (BN) have been extensively reported, but those of amorphous BN have been insufficiently explored for memory applications. Herein, we fabricated a Pt/BN/TiN device utilizing the resistive switching mechanism to achieve synaptic characteristics in a neuromorphic system. The switching mechanism is investigated based on the I-V curves. Utilizing these characteristics, we optimize the potentiation and depression to mimic the biological synapse. In artificial neural networks, high-recognition rates are achieved using linear conductance updates in a memristor device. The short-term memory characteristics are investigated in depression by controlling the conductance level and time interval.

Keywords: amorphous boron nitride; memristor; neuromorphic system; resistive switching; synaptic device.