Fig. 1: Free-space optical neuromorphic computing concept based on a pure 2D MoS₂ array.

a Contradiction between performance and tunability of the system for different strategies. The proposed system shows an improved modulation performance and simultaneously ensures the tunability of the system. b Schematic of the computing concept based on a pure MoS₂ flake array. Within the pump-probe-control setup (bottom), the relative transmittance (ΔT) is effectively enhanced and modulated, assisting the design of computing functions. c Schematic of the computing mechanism. The synergistic transition mainly involves five specific bands: the VB maximum and CB minimum near the K points, the parallel VB and CB between the K and Γ points, and the high-energy nested CBs near the Γ point. The ΔT with the control pulse off is dominated by TPA at the K points. The ΔT with the control pulse on is dominated by SESA between the K and Γ points. d Simplified schematic of the computing system. e Schematic of the computing methodology. Computing functionalities can be realized by modulating the pulse on/off state, pulse power, pulse delay, and encoding the flake thickness. f Schematic of optical ANN. The ΔT is a function of control power and control time delay. The control power in each cell is the input signal, and the control time delay is encoded into weight. The cell thicknesses are identical. g Schematic of digital processing functions. Optical AND, OR, NAND, NOR gates, and DAC are realized by encoding the control pulse power and delay into input bits and choosing appropriate cell thickness as input ports.