Recreating the visual-perception properties using organic electronic devices is highly desired for visual prosthetics and artificial intelligence. Although the integration of organic light-sensing components with synaptic devices can realize the recognition and memory functions for perceived images, complicated problems in device integration for practical applications are generally encountered. Here we demonstrate a new type of organic photosynaptic device based on organic molecular crystals, which can provide optical-sensing and synaptic functions together in one device by means of a unique photon-induced charge transfer effect. This device successfully emulates the working principles of human visual perception in terms of short-term plasticity, long-term potentiation, and spike-timing-dependent plasticity. Moreover, a proof-of-concept artificial image-perception system is demonstrated by integrating the photosynapses on a flexible substrate. The new devices using organic semiconductors may open up innovative application areas, such as artificially intelligent electronic and perception systems, and facilitate the integration of such devices into next-generation flexible and stretchable electronics.

对于视觉修复和人工智能，非常需要使用有机电子设备来重新创建视觉感知特性。尽管有机光感测组件与突触设备的集成可以实现感知图像的识别和存储功能，但是在实际应用中通常会遇到复杂的设备集成问题。在这里，我们演示了一种基于有机分子晶体的新型有机光突触设备，该设备可以通过独特的光子诱导的电荷转移效应在一个设备中同时提供光敏和突触功能。该设备成功地模仿了人类视觉感知的短期可塑性，长期增强能力以及依赖于尖峰时序的可塑性。而且，通过将光突触集成在柔性基板上，证明了概念验证的人工图像感知系统。使用有机半导体的新设备可能会开拓创新的应用领域，例如人工智能电子和感知系统，并有助于将此类设备集成到下一代柔性和可拉伸电子设备中。