PZT optical memristors.

Li, Chenlei; Yu, Hongyan; Shu, Tao; Zhang, Yueyang; Wen, Chengfeng; Cao, Hengzhen; Xie, Jin; Li, Hanwen et al. · Nat Commun · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Optical memristors represent a monumental leap in the fusion of photonics and electronics for neuromorphic computing and artificial intelligence. Here, we reveal the first lead zirconate titanate (PZT) optical memristor, working with a paradigm of functional duality: non-volatile setting and ultrafast volatile modulation via the Pockels effect. Fine-tuning and large modulation depth are achieved with an index change of 4.6 × 10<sup>-3</sup> when setting above a threshold voltage V<sub>th</sub> and the switching energy is 12.3 pJ only. The non-volatility is highly stable even with >100,000 cycles. Sub-nanosecond volatile modulation (48 Gbps, 432 fJ/bit) is realized with high efficiency (V<sub>π</sub>L ~ 0.5 V·cm) via the strong Pockels effect below V<sub>th</sub>. Our wafer-scale manufacturing process shows great potential for mass production. The present PZT optical memristors bridge the gap between high-speed photonics and non-volatile memory, offering transformative potential for high-speed and energy-efficient optical interconnects, quantum computing, neural networks, in-memory computing, and brain-like architecture.