Atomically thin heterojunction-based optoelectronic synaptic devices operable from -190 °C to 450 °C.

Abstract

Exploration and operation in extreme environments (e.g., planetary surfaces) require hardware capable of sensing, storing, and processing visual information in situ, enabling intelligent perception under conditions inaccessible to humans. Optoelectronic synaptic devices (OSDs) are a promising class of such hardware, but existing OSDs fail under extreme temperatures, making thermal survivability a key bottleneck for extreme environment intelligent vision. Here, via the interface design of 2D-material heterostructures, we develop a MoS₂-based OSD operating across a 640 °C range (from -190 °C to 450 °C) with tunable neuromorphic functionality. At 450 °C, the device achieves visible detection, bridging the spectral gap of high-temperature optical sensors. It exhibits highly tunable synaptic plasticity, with a retention tunability ratio exceeding reported high-temperature OSDs by 1600×. Leveraging bio-inspired scotopic and photopic visual adaptation, the device facilitates in-sensor processing, enhancing low-light image recognition accuracy by more than 15% across multiple datasets. A conceptual robotic rover demonstration illustrates its potential applications. This work provides a route toward robust, intelligent vision perception for planetary exploration and other extreme-environmental applications.