A 2-dimensional Si nanodisk array structure for spiking neuron models

Spiking neuron models, which simplify the biological neuron function, have attracted much attention recently in the fields of computational neuroscience and artificial neural networks. In these models, generation of post-synaptic potentials (PSPs) is an essential function. In this paper, we propose a new nanodevice structure using a nanodisk array connected to a MOSFET for spiking neuron models. The structure generates PSPs by taking advantage of the delay in electron hopping movement among nanodisks. The results of single-electron circuit simulation demonstrate the controllability of PSP shapes by a control gate placed over the nanodisk array.