Flexible Neural Network Realized by the Probabilistic SiO_x Memristive Synaptic Array for Energy‐Efficient Image Learning

Abstract The human brain's neural networks are sparsely connected via tunable and probabilistic synapses, which may be essential for performing energy‐efficient cognitive and intellectual functions. In this sense, the implementation of a flexible neural network with probabilistic synapses is a first step toward realizing the ultimate energy‐efficient computing framework. Here, inspired by the efficient threshold‐tunable and probabilistic rod‐to‐rod bipolar synapses in the human visual system, a 16 × 16 crossbar array comprising the vertical form of gate‐tunable probabilistic SiO_x memristive synaptic barristor utilizing the Si/graphene heterojunction is designed and fabricated. Controllable stochastic switching dynamics in this array are achieved via various input voltage pulse schemes. In particular, the threshold tunability via electrostatic gating enables the efficient in situ alteration of the probabilistic switching activation (P_Act) from 0 to 1.0, and can even modulate the degree of the P_Act change. A drop‐connected algorithm based on the P_Act is constructed and used to successfully classify the shapes of several fashion items. The suggested approach can decrease the learning energy by up to ≈2,116 times relative to that of the conventional all‐to‐all connected network while exhibiting a high recognition accuracy of ≈93 %.