Superconducting bimodal ionic photo-memristor

Abstract

Memristive circuit elements constitute a cornerstone for novel electronic applications, such as neuromorphic computing, called to revolutionize information technologies. By definition, memristors are sensitive to the history of electrical stimuli, to which they respond by varying their electrical resistance across a continuum of nonvolatile states. Recently, much effort has been devoted to developing devices that present an analogous response to optical excitation. Here we realize a new class of device, a tunnelling photo-memristor, whose behaviour is bimodal: both electrical and optical stimuli can trigger the switching across resistance states in a way determined by the dual optical-electrical history. This unique behaviour is obtained in a device of ultimate simplicity: an interface between a high-temperature superconductor and a transparent semiconductor. The microscopic mechanism at play is a reversible nanoscale redox reaction between both materials, whose oxygen content determines the electron tunnelling rate across their interface. Oxygen exchange is controlled here via illumination by exploiting a competition between electrochemistry, photovoltaic effects and photo-assisted ion migration. In addition to their fundamental interest, the unveiled electro-optic memory effects have considerable technological potential. Especially in combination with high-temperature superconductivity which, beyond facilitating the high connectivity required in neuromorphic circuits, brings photo-memristive effects to the realm of superconducting electronics.