Alloying conducting channels for reliable neuromorphic computing

Alloying conduction channels of a Si memristor enables stable and controllable device operation with high switching uniformity. A memristor(1) has been proposed as an artificial synapse for emerging neuromorphic computing applications(2,3). To train a neural network in memristor arrays, changes in weight values in the form of device conductance should be distinct and uniform(3). An electrochemical metallization (ECM) memory(4,5), typically based on silicon (Si), has demonstrated a good analogue switching capability(6,7) owing to the high mobility of metal ions in the Si switching medium(8). However, the large stochasticity of the ion movement results in switching variability. Here we demonstrate a Si memristor with alloyed conduction channels that shows a stable and controllable device operation, which enables the large-scale implementation of crossbar arrays. The conduction channel is formed by conventional silver (Ag) as a primary mobile metal alloyed with silicidable copper (Cu) that stabilizes switching. In an optimal alloying ratio, Cu effectively regulates the Ag movement, which contributes to a substantial improvement in the spatial/temporal switching uniformity, a stable data retention over a large conductance range and a substantially enhanced programmed symmetry in analogue conductance states. This alloyed memristor allows the fabrication of large-scale crossbar arrays that feature a high device yield and accurate analogue programming capability. Thus, our discovery of an alloyed memristor is a key step paving the way beyond von Neumann computing.