A pioneering study led by Prof. Zhiguo Yi from the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has successfully integrated five optoelectronic logic gates into a single ferroelectric ceramic chip, enabling fully light-controlled operations.

    This work, published in Advanced Materials, opens new pathways for multifunctional logic devices in computing and communication systems.

    Traditional optoelectronic logic gates (OELGs) based on semiconductor p-n junctions or Schottky barriers, are limited by single-function outputs or complicate device architectures. Ferroelectric materials, with switchable polarization and photoelectric effect, shows excellent promise for multifunctional logic integration. However, due to high insulation and wide bandgaps, weak photocurrents have hindered the photoelectric applications.

    The team first developed a Ti³⁺ self-doped 0.5Ba(Zr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃-0.5(Ba_0.7Ca_0.3TiO₃ (BZT-BCT) ceramic by co-sintering metallic Ti powders with BZT-BCT precursors, where Ti³⁺ acts as donor-like dopant. This strategy boosted photoelectric output by 2.5 times compared to pure BZT-BCT. Subsequently, A novel planar three-electrode structure was constructed to polarize three distinct regions on the ceramic surface. By tailoring polarization directions, the device exhibited region-dependent photocurrents. Based on this, five fundamental logic gates (“AND,” “OR,” “NOT,” “NAND,” and “NOR”) were realized. They are easily switched only through adjusting output electrodes or the intensity of modulating light.

    This progress simplifies device design and enables multifunctionality on a single ferroelectric ceramic chip, highlighting ferroelectric materials’ potential for high-speed, low-power applications in AI, optical computing, and IoT systems. Says Lu Wang, the first author of the paper, “Our strategy bridges optical and electronic functionalities, putting forward a new alternative for next-generation integrated circuits.”

    With its combination of simplicity, scalability, and performance, this innovation makes a significant step toward all-optical computing and smart device miniaturization.

https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202418023

Contact: Zhiguo Yi

Shanghai Institute of Ceramics Chinese Academy of Sciences

E-mail: zhiguo@mail.sic.ac.cn