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Neuromorphic weighted sum with magnetic skyrmions (arxiv.org)
1 point by PaulHoule on Nov 3, 2023 | hide | past | pdf | discuss on HN

In plain words: Tiny magnetic swirls called skyrmions are made in numbers matching an input, scaled by a magnetic weight that stays without power, then counted electrically to add them. The experiment worked with two inputs and could grow to many while nearing a living brain's efficiency.

Abstract · Neuromorphic weighted sums with magnetic skyrmions

Integrating magnetic skyrmions into neuromorphic computing could help improve hardware efficiency and computational power. However, developing a scalable implementation of the weighted sum of neuron signals - a core operation in neural networks - has remained a challenge. Here, we show that weighted sum operations can be performed in a compact, biologically-inspired manner by using the non-volatile and particle-like characteristics of magnetic skyrmions that make them easily countable and summable. The skyrmions are electrically generated in numbers proportional to an input with an efficiency given by a non-volatile weight. The chiral particles are then directed using localized current injections to a location where their presence is quantified through non-perturbative electrical measurements. Our experimental demonstration, which currently has two inputs, can be scaled to accommodate multiple inputs and outputs using a crossbar array design, potentially nearing the energy efficiency observed in biological systems.

Tristan da Câmara Santa Clara Gomes, Yanis Sassi, Dédalo Sanz-Hernández, Sachin Krishnia, Sophie Collin, Marie-Blandine Martin, Pierre Seneor, Vincent Cros, Julie Grollier, Nicolas Reyren
arXiv:2310.16909 · cs.ET, cond-mat.mtrl-sci · submitted Oct 25, 2023 · updated Jul 8, 2025
abstract · pdf · html · 13 pages, 5 figures

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