Light: Science & Applications (Apr 2024)

Reconfigurable memlogic long wave infrared sensing with superconductors

  • Bingxin Chen,
  • Huanyi Xue,
  • Hong Pan,
  • Liping Zhu,
  • Xiaomi Yan,
  • Jingzhe Wang,
  • Yanru Song,
  • Zhenghua An

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-024-01424-2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

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Abstract Optical sensors with in-cell logic and memory capabilities offer new horizons in realizing machine vision beyond von Neumann architectures and have been attempted with two-dimensional materials, memristive oxides, phase-changing materials etc. Noting the unparalleled performance of superconductors with both quantum-limited optical sensitivities and ultra-wide spectrum coverage, here we report a superconducting memlogic long-wave infrared sensor based on the bistability in hysteretic superconductor-normal phase transition. Driven cooperatively by electrical and optical pulses, the device offers deterministic in-sensor switching between resistive and superconducting (hence dissipationless) states with persistence > 105 s. This results in a resilient reconfigurable memlogic system applicable for, e.g., encrypted communications. Besides, a high infrared sensitivity at 12.2 μm is achieved through its in-situ metamaterial perfect absorber design. Our work opens the avenue to realize all-in-one superconducting memlogic sensors, surpassing biological retina capabilities in both sensitivity and wavelength, and presents a groundbreaking opportunity to integrate visional perception capabilities into superconductor-based intelligent quantum machines.