International Business Machines Corporation
OPTICAL SYNAPSES

Abstract:

An optical synapse comprises a memristive device for non-volatile storage of a synaptic weight dependent on resistance of the device, and an optical modulator for volatile modulation of optical transmission in a waveguide. The memristive device and optical modulator are connected in control circuitry which is operable, in a write mode, to supply a programming signal to the memristive device to program the synaptic weight and, in a read mode, to supply an electrical signal, dependent on the synaptic weight, to the optical modulator whereby the optical transmission is controlled in a volatile manner in dependence on programmed synaptic weight.