Mimicking the brain functions of learning, forgetting and explicit/implicit memories with SrTiO3-based memristive devices

Abstract

Brain functions are performed by a complex neural system consisting of a network of gigantic amounts of neurons (∼10 ¹¹) and synapses (∼10 ¹⁵); in this work, the brain functions of learning, forgetting and explicit/implicit memory are successfully mimicked using Ni/Nb-SrTiO ₃/Ti memristive devices.

Abstract

To implement the complex brain functions of learning, forgetting and memory in a single electronic device is very advantageous for realizing artificial intelligence. As a proof of concept, memristive devices with a simple structure of Ni/Nb-SrTiO ₃/Ti were investigated in this work. The functions of learning, forgetting and memory were successfully mimicked using the memristive devices, and the “time-saving” effect of implicit memory was also demonstrated. The physics behind the brain functions is simply the modulation of the Schottky barrier at the Ni/SrTiO ₃ interface. The realization of various psychological functions in a single device simplifies the construction of the artificial neural network and facilitates the advent of artificial intelligence.