Frequency Response to AC Input Signal in a Neuristor

The frequency response of a single transistor-based artificial neuron, termed a neuristor, is studied. In contrast to the previously reported spiking properties with direct current (<inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${I}_{\text {DC}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) input, the oscillating and spiking properties with alternating current (<inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${I}_{\text {AC}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) inputs at different frequencies (<inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${f}_{\text {AC}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) are investigated to more realistically mimic neuronal operation in a biological neuron. Without requiring an extra circuit, the neuristor responds to <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${f}_{\text {AC}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> lower than the intrinsic threshold frequency (<inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${f}_{\text {th}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>). Because this <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${f}_{\text {th}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is modulated by applying gate voltage to the neuristor, its energy efficiency can be further improved.