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Synchronization dynamics on the picosecond time scale in coupled Josephson junction neurons

K. Segall1, M. LeGro1, S. Kaplan2, O. Svitelskiy1,*, S. Khadka1, P. Crotty1, and D. Schult3

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Colgate University, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, New York 13346, USA
  • 2Consultant, 1800 Cherokee Drive, Estes Park, Colorado 80517, USA
  • 3Department of Mathematics, Colgate University, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, New York 13346, USA

  • *Current address: Department of Physics, Gordon College, Wenham, MA 01982, USA.
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Phys. Rev. E 95, 032220 – Published 22 March, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.95.032220

Abstract

Conventional digital computation is rapidly approaching physical limits for speed and energy dissipation. Here we fabricate and test a simple neuromorphic circuit that models neuronal somas, axons, and synapses with superconducting Josephson junctions. The circuit models two mutually coupled excitatory neurons. In some regions of parameter space the neurons are desynchronized. In others, the Josephson neurons synchronize in one of two states, in-phase or antiphase. An experimental alteration of the delay and strength of the connecting synapses can toggle the system back and forth in a phase-flip bifurcation. Firing synchronization states are calculated >70 000 times faster than conventional digital approaches. With their speed and low energy dissipation (10−17J/spike), this set of proof-of-concept experiments establishes Josephson junction neurons as a viable approach for improvements in neuronal computation as well as applications in neuromorphic computing.

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Outline

Information

Phys. Rev. E 95, 032220– Published 22 March, 2017
  • Received 5 August 2016
  • Revised 7 February 2017
Article part of CHORUS

©2017 American Physical Society

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