An interactive model of a superconducting optoelectronic soma. Dendritic input fills a leaky collection loop whose signal s integrates upward; when the net signal s minus the refractory variable r crosses the firing threshold, the soma emits a spike (a burst of photons) and dumps flux into a refractory loop, raising r. The refractory signal subtracts from the soma and decays at its own rate, suppressing rapid re-firing. A scrolling plot shows input, the soma signal against the threshold line, refractory level, and spike ticks; chips report the live firing rate.

Soma integrates input into signal s. When net (s − r) crosses the dashed threshold, it fires and charges the refractory loop r, which subtracts from s and decays — blocking the next spike until it relaxes.
SOEN soma: integrate dendritic input, fire at threshold, then refractory feedback Input flux fills a leaky soma loop; a comparator fires a spike at threshold and charges a refractory loop that feeds back to suppress the soma. dendrite input soma s compare s − r ≥ θ ? spike out (photons) refractory r inhibits soma
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Soma signal s
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Refractory r
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Firing rate
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