Polarized light-sensitive optoelectronic synapses for expanding artificial vision systems

Abstract Flexible material-based artificial vision systems are gaining increasing attention due to their potential in applications requiring operation on curved surfaces, such as autonomous vehicles, smart healthcare devices, and humanoid robot eyes. However, conventional vision systems built on the von Neumann architecture encounter significant limitations in energy efficiency and processing speed. To overcome these challenges, optoelectronic synapses inspired by biological visual systems have emerged as a promising alternative. These synapses enhance data processing speed and reduce system complexity by enabling real-time analysis of optical signals, including wavelength and light intensity. Moreover, integrating polarized light sensing function into such systems offers a substantial performance boost. Polarized light, which carries additional directional information, facilitates advanced applications like precise image recognition and navigation. This review focuses on polarized light-sensitive (PLS) optoelectronic synapses, emphasizing the role of flexible materials in expanding the capabilities of existing systems. We begin by exploring diverse strategies for achieving polarization detection, focusing on material selection and fabrication processes. This is followed by an in-depth discussion of the mechanisms underlying PLS optoelectronic synapses.