The goal of this paper is to review in brief the basic physics of single-election devices, as well as their-current and prospective applications. These devices based on the controllable transfer of single electrons between small conducting "islands", have already enabled several important scientific experiments. Several other applications of analog single-election devices in unique scientific instrumentation and metrology seem quite feasible. On the other hand, the prospect of silicon transistors being replaced by single-electron devices in integrated digital circuits faces tough challenges and remains uncertain. Nevertheless, even if this replacement does not happen, single electronics will continue to play an important role by shedding light on the fundamental size limitations of new electronic devices. Moreover, recent research in this field has generated some by-product ideas which may revolutionize random-access-memory and digital-data-storage technologies.

Single-electron devices and their applications

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Challenges for Nanoscale MOSFETs and Emerging Nanoelectronics

A method for computing using a quantum system (1540) comprising a plurality of superconducting qubits is provided. Quantum system (1540) can be in any one of at least two configurations including (i) an initialization Hamiltonian Ho and (ii) a problem Hamiltonian Hp. The plurality of superconducting qubits are arranged with respect to one another, with a predetermined number of couplings between respective pairs of superconducting qubits in the plurality of qubits, such that the plurality of superconducting qubits, coupled by the predetermined number of couplings, collectively define a computational problem to be solved. In the method, quantum system (1540) is initialized to the initialization Hamiltonian Ho. Quantum system (1540) is then adiabatically changed until it is described by the ground state of the problem Hamiltonian Hp. The quantum state of quantum system (1540) is then readout thereby solving the computational problem to be solved.

Adiabatic quantum computation with superconducting qubits

Starting with a brief review on the single-electron memory and its significance among various single-electron devices, this paper addresses the key issues which one inevitably encounters when one tries to achieve giga-to-tera bit memory integration. Among the issues discussed are: room-temperature operation; memory-cell architecture; sensing scheme; cell-design guideline; use of nanocrystalline silicon versus lithography; array architecture; device-to-device variations; read/write error rate; and CMOS/single-electron-memory hybrid integration and its positioning among various memory architectures.

Single-electron memory for giga-to-tera bit storage

Starting with a brief review on the single-electron memory and its significance among various single-electron devices, this paper addresses the key issues which one inevitably encounters when one tries to achieve giga-to-tera bit memory integration. Among the issues discussed are: room-temperature operation; memory-cell architecture; sensing scheme; cell-design guideline; use of nanocrystalline silicon versus lithography; array architecture; device-to-device variations; read/write error rate; and CMOS/singte-electron-memor hybrid integration and its positioning among various memory architectures.

Single-electron memory for giga-to-tera bit storage : Special issue on quantum devices and their applications

The unit device consists of four tunnel junctions and operates as a two-way switch for single-electron transport. Any combinational logic can be implemented by connecting identical unit devices into a cascade to build the tree of a BDD graph. Several sample designs are presented for logic circuits of NAND, NOR, exclusive-OR, and AND-OR combinational logic. Computer simulation shows that the designed circuits perform the logic operations correctly.

Single-electron logic device based on the binary decision diagram

The device proposed here for future LSI's is based on a concept different from the Boolean equations usually used for representing digital functions. The unit function of this device is simple two-way switching and can be implemented utilizing various physical effects, such as optical switching, electron-wave modulation, and single-electron transport. Several possible device structures are presented, and a simulated result for a single-electron device is described. >

Binary-decision-diagram device

Single-Electron Logic Systems Based on the Binary Decision Diagram

Relaxation processes for non-equilibrium electron distributions in two-dimensional ultrasmall tunnel junction arrays (2D-TJAs) have been studied using a Monte Carlo simulation. Many electrons initially placed in the central island diffuse outward due to single-electron tunneling. When we focus on the number of electrons in square shells dividing the 2D-TJA, the number of electrons strongly fluctuates in time to form electron bunching peaks, and the peaks are propagated to outer shells as a wave. This result indicates a self-organization of electrons in non-equilibrium TJAs, suggesting the possibility of applications based on a new algorithm.

Simulations of Relaxation Processes for Non-Equilibrium Electron Distributions in Two-Dimensional Tunnel Junction Arrays ( Quantum Dot Structures)

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1143/JJAP.36.4176/pdf

Noboru Asahi

Papers

Single-electron logic device based on the binary decision diagram

Binary-decision-diagram device

Single-Electron Logic Systems Based on the Binary Decision Diagram

Simulations of Relaxation Processes for Non-Equilibrium Electron Distributions in Two-Dimensional Tunnel Junction Arrays ( Quantum Dot Structures)

Simulations of Relaxation Processes for Non-Equilibrium Electron Distributions in Two-Dimensional Tunnel Junction Arrays