Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Article
  • Published:

Reconfigurable logic and neuromorphic circuits based on electrically tunable two-dimensional homojunctions

Abstract

Reconfigurable logic and neuromorphic devices are crucial for the development of high-performance computing. However, creating reconfigurable devices based on conventional complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor technology is challenging due to the limited field-effect characteristics of the fundamental silicon devices. Here we show that a homojunction device made from two-dimensional tungsten diselenide can exhibit diverse field-effect characteristics controlled by polarity combinations of the gate and drain voltage inputs. These electrically tunable devices can achieve reconfigurable multifunctional logic and neuromorphic capabilities. With the same logic circuit, we demonstrate a 2:1 multiplexer, D-latch and 1-bit full adder and subtractor. These functions exhibit a full-swing output voltage and the same supply and signal voltage, which suggests that the devices could be cascaded to create complex circuits. We also show that synaptic circuits based on only three homojunction devices can achieve reconfigurable spiking-timing-dependent plasticity and pulse-tunable synaptic potentiation or depression characteristics; the same function using complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor devices would require more than ten transistors.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Fig. 1: Structure and mechanism of the ETH device.
Fig. 2: Field-effect characteristics of the ETH device.
Fig. 3: Reconfigurable logic functions circuit.
Fig. 4: Reconfigurable synaptic functions circuit.

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The data that support the plots within this manuscript and other findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

References

  1. Qiu, C. et al. Dirac-source field-effect transistors as energy-efficient, high-performance electronic switches. Science 361, 387–392 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Li, D. et al. Two-dimensional non-volatile programmable p–n junctions. Nat. Nanotechnol. 12, 901–906 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Huang, M. et al. Multifunctional high-performance van der Waals heterostructures. Nat. Nanotechnol. 12, 1148–1154 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Cheng, R. et al. High-performance, multifunctional devices based on asymmetric van der Waals heterostructures. Nat. Electron. 1, 356–361 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Yang, H. et al. Graphene barristor, a triode device with a gate-controlled Schottky barrier. Science 336, 1140–1143 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Liu, C. et al. A semi-floating gate memory based on van der Waals heterostructures for quasi-non-volatile applications. Nat. Nanotechnol. 13, 404–410 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Resta, G. V. et al. Towards high-performance polarity-controllable FETs with 2D materials. In 2018 Design, Automation & Test in Europe Conference & Exhibition (DATE) 637–641 (IEEE, 2018).

  8. Pang, C. & Chen, Z. First demonstration of WSe2 CMOS inverter with modulable noise margin by electrostatic doping. In 2018 76th Device Research Conference (DRC) 1–2 (IEEE, 2018).

  9. Pang, C., Thakuria, N., Gupta, S. K. & Chen, Z. First demonstration of WSe2 based CMOS-SRAM. In 2018 IEEE Int. Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) 22.2.1–22.2.4 (IEEE, 2018).

  10. Resta, G. V. et al. Doping-free complementary logic gates enabled by two-dimensional polarity-controllable transistors. ACS Nano 12, 7039–7047 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Liu, C. et al. Small footprint transistor architecture for photoswitching logic and in situ memory. Nat. Nanotechnol. 14, 662–667 (2019).

    Google Scholar 

  12. International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors 2.0 2015 Edition—Beyond CMOS (IEEE, 2018) https://www.semiconductors.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/6_2015-ITRS-2.0-Beyond-CMOS.pdf

  13. Orji, N. G. et al. Metrology for the next generation of semiconductor devices. Nat. Electron. 1, 532–547 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Gaillardon, P., Tang, X., Kim, G. & De Micheli, G. A novel FPGA architecture based on ultrafine grain reconfigurable logic cells. IEEE Trans. Very Large Scale Integr. VLSI Syst. 23, 2187–2197 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Trommer, J., Heinzig, A., Slesazeck, S., Mikolajick, T. & Weber, W. M. Elementary aspects for circuit implementation of reconfigurable nanowire transistors. IEEE Electron Device Lett. 35, 141–143 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Liu, Y. et al. Ambipolar barristors for reconfigurable logic circuits. Nano Lett. 17, 1448–1454 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Raitza, M. et al. Exploiting transistor-level reconfiguration to optimize combinational circuits. In Proc. Conference on Design, Automation & Test in Europe 338–343 (European Design and Automation Association, 2017).

  18. Ben-Jamaa, M. H., Mohanram, K. & De Micheli, G. An efficient gate library for ambipolar CNTFET logic. IEEE Trans. Comput. Aided Des. Integr. Circuits Syst. 30, 242–255 (2011).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Yan, H. et al. Programmable nanowire circuits for nanoprocessors. Nature 470, 240–244 (2011).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Chhowalla, M., Jena, D. & Zhang, H. Two-dimensional semiconductors for transistors. Nat. Rev. Mater. 1, 16052 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  21. Jariwala, D., Sangwan, V. K., Lauhon, L. J., Marks, T. J. & Hersam, M. C. Emerging device applications for semiconducting two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides. ACS Nano 8, 1102–1120 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Liu, Y. et al. Van der Waals heterostructures and devices. Nat. Rev. Mater. 1, 16042 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  23. Yu, W. J. et al. Vertically stacked multi-heterostructures of layered materials for logic transistors and complementary inverters. Nat. Mater. 12, 246–252 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  24. Wang, Y. et al. Negative photoconductance in van der Waals heterostructure-based floating gate phototransistor. ACS Nano 12, 9513–9520 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  25. Lee, C. et al. Atomically thin p–n junctions with van der Waals heterointerfaces. Nat. Nanotechnol. 9, 676–681 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  26. Wang, M. et al. Robust memristors based on layered two-dimensional materials. Nat. Electron. 1, 130–136 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  27. Pospischil, A., Furchi, M. M. & Mueller, T. Solar-energy conversion and light emission in an atomic monolayer p–n diode. Nat. Nanotechnol. 9, 257–261 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  28. Baugher, B. W., Churchill, H. O., Yang, Y. & Jarillo-Herrero, P. Optoelectronic devices based on electrically tunable p–n diodes in a monolayer dichalcogenide. Nat. Nanotechnol. 9, 262–267 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  29. Liu, T. et al. Nonvolatile and programmable photodoping in MoTe2 for photoresist-free complementary electronic devices. Adv. Mater. 30, 1804470 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  30. Ross, J. S. et al. Electrically tunable excitonic light-emitting diodes based on monolayer WSe2 p–n junctions. Nat. Nanotechnol. 9, 268–272 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  31. Das, S. & Appenzeller, J. WSe2 field effect transistors with enhanced ambipolar characteristics. Appl. Phys. Lett. 103, 103501 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  32. Liu, W. et al. Role of metal contacts in designing high-performance monolayer n-type WSe2 field effect transistors. Nano Lett. 13, 1983–1990 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  33. Fang, H. et al. High-performance single layered WSe2 p-FETs with chemically doped contacts. Nano Lett. 12, 3788–3792 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  34. Allain, A. & Kis, A. Electron and hole mobilities in single-layer WSe2. ACS Nano 8, 7180–7185 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  35. Yu, L. et al. High-performance WSe2 complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology and integrated circuits. Nano Lett. 15, 4928–4934 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  36. Pu, J. et al. Highly flexible and high-performance complementary inverters of large-area transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers. Adv. Mater. 28, 4111–4119 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  37. Yu, L. et al. Design, modeling, and fabrication of chemical vapor deposition grown MoS2 circuits with E-mode FETs for large-area electronics. Nano Lett. 16, 6349–6356 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  38. Wachter, S., Polyushkin, D. K., Bethge, O. & Mueller, T. A microprocessor based on a two-dimensional semiconductor. Nat. Commun. 8, 14948 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  39. Dathbun, A. et al. Large-area CVD-grown sub-2 V ReS2 transistors and logic gates. Nano Lett. 17, 2999–3005 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  40. Wang, H. et al. Integrated circuits based on bilayer MoS2 transistors. Nano Lett. 12, 4674–4680 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  41. Prezioso, M. et al. Training and operation of an integrated neuromorphic network based on metal-oxide memristors. Nature 521, 61–64 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  42. Tuma, T., Pantazi, A., Le Gallo, M., Sebastian, A. & Eleftheriou, E. Stochastic phase-change neurons. Nat. Nanotechnol. 11, 693–699 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  43. Jo, S. H. et al. Nanoscale memristor device as synapse in neuromorphic systems. Nano Lett. 10, 1297–1301 (2010).

    Google Scholar 

  44. Kuzum, D., Jeyasingh, R. G., Lee, B. & Wong, H. P. Nanoelectronic programmable synapses based on phase change materials for brain-inspired computing. Nano Lett. 12, 2179–2186 (2011).

    Google Scholar 

  45. Wang, Z. et al. Memristors with diffusive dynamics as synaptic emulators for neuromorphic computing. Nat. Mater. 16, 101–108 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  46. Shi, Y. et al. Electronic synapses made of layered two-dimensional materials. Nat. Electron. 1, 458–465 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  47. Sangwan, V. K. et al. Multi-terminal memtransistors from polycrystalline monolayer molybdenum disulfide. Nature 554, 500–504 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  48. Zhu, X., Li, D., Liang, X. & Lu, W. D. Ionic modulation and ionic coupling effects in MoS2 devices for neuromorphic computing. Nat. Mater. 18, 141–148 (2019).

    Google Scholar 

  49. Zhu, J. et al. Ion gated synaptic transistors based on 2D van der Waals crystals with tunable diffusive dynamics. Adv. Mater. 30, 1800195 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  50. Zhu, L. Q., Wan, C. J., Guo, L. Q., Shi, Y. & Wan, Q. Artificial synapse network on inorganic proton conductor for neuromorphic systems. Nat. Commun. 5, 3158 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  51. Tian, H. et al. Anisotropic black phosphorus synaptic device for neuromorphic applications. Adv. Mater. 28, 4991–4997 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  52. Wang, Z. et al. Fully memristive neural networks for pattern classification with unsupervised learning. Nat. Electron. 1, 137–145 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  53. Indiveri, G., Chicca, E. & Douglas, R. A VLSI array of low-power spiking neurons and bistable synapses with spike-timing dependent plasticity. IEEE Trans. Neural Netw. 17, 211–221 (2006).

    Google Scholar 

  54. Tian, H. et al. Emulating bilingual synaptic response using a junction-based artificial synaptic device. ACS Nano 11, 7156–7163 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  55. Pan, C. et al. Analog circuit applications based on ambipolar graphene/MoTe2 vertical transistors. Adv. Electron. Mater. 4, 1700662 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (61625402, 61921005 and 61974176), and the Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures and Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20180330), Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (020414380084). K.W. and T.T. acknowledge support from the Elemental Strategy Initiative conducted by MEXT, Japan, A3 Foresight by JSPS and a CREST (JPMJCR15F3) from JST. The authors thank S. Liu and Q. Qian from Southeast University, and L. Shao from Nanjing University for their helpful discussions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

F.M., S.-J.L. and C.P. conceived the idea and designed the experiments. F.M. and S.-J.L. supervised the whole project. C.P. fabricated the ETH devices and performed all the experiments. Chenyu Wang, Y.W., T.C. and P.W. assisted in the device fabrication and circuit measurements. C.P., Chenyu Wang, S.-J.L. and F.M. analysed the experimental data. K.W. and T.T. prepared the h-BN samples. Cong Wang, S.W., A.G., B.C. and E.L. contributed to the discussions. C.P., S.-J.L. and F.M. co-wrote the manuscript with inputs from all the co-authors.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Shi-Jun Liang or Feng Miao.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary information

Supplementary Information

Supplementary Figs. 1–11 and refs. 1–12.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pan, C., Wang, CY., Liang, SJ. et al. Reconfigurable logic and neuromorphic circuits based on electrically tunable two-dimensional homojunctions. Nat Electron 3, 383–390 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41928-020-0433-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41928-020-0433-9

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing