Dual Stimuli‐Responsive a‐GaOx/ZnO Heterojunction Nanowire Arrays Artificial Optoelectronic Synapse for Mimicking Visual Nociceptor Plasticity

Abstract

Retina‐inspired synaptic devices with in‐sensor visual perception‐memory‐processing have emerged as a powerful implementation for replicating visual functionalities and developing highly efficient neuromorphic computing. However, single synaptic devices manifest limitations in dual stimuli‐responsive characteristics, posing a challenge in high‐level integrating perception and response to more sensing inputs. Herein, a flexible optoelectronic synaptic device (FOSD) based on amorphous‐GaOx/ZnO heterojunction nanowire arrays is proposed and enables synchronously perceiving and encoding optical and mechanical signals into programmable synaptic plasticity. Moreover, the robust nonvolatile nature of the FOSD's synaptic behavior from low‐temperature 220 K to high‐temperature 380 K ensures visual perception‐learning‐memory functions. The distinguishable wide spectral photoresponse of FOSD to RGB tricolor lights allows for feature extraction of color‐mixed patterns for improving handwritten digit recognition accuracy up to 90.32%. The FOSD's highlighted strain‐sensitive synaptic plasticity utilizing optic–mechanic co‐stimuli scheme becomes a building block approach to mimic multi‐scenario adaptable synaptic activities. Biomimetic visual nociceptor based on dual stimuli‐responsive FOSD presents novel modulation of key features, encompassing threshold, sensitization, desensitization, and non‐adaptation, enabling the development of bio‐realistic nociceptive system. This work offers guidance for designing a dual‐sensing‐integration synaptic device and establishes an actionable framework for an artificial visual nociceptive system toward environmental adaptability.