Molecule cascades: Nanometer-scale molecular architectures that compute

C. P. Lutz, A. J. Heinrich, J. A. Gupta, D. M. Eigler

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

We present a nanometer-scale computation scheme in which all of the devices and interconnects required for the one-time computation of an arbitrary logic function are implemented by atomically-precise arrangements of molecules bound to a surface. The motion of one CO molecule on a Cu (111) surface causes a nearby molecule to hop to a new site, which in turn moves another molecule, and so on in a cascade of motion similar to a row of toppling dominoes. This cascade communicates one bit of information across the surface. Logic gates and other devices are implemented by engineered arrangements of molecules at the intersections of these cascades. We use a low-temperature scanning tunnelling microscope to assemble and demonstrate a 3-input sorter that uses several AND gates and OR gates, and the crossover and fan-out units needed to connect them.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTRANSDUCERS 2003 - 12th International Conference on Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems, Digest of Technical Papers
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages5-8
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)0780377311, 9780780377318
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
Event12th International Conference on Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems, TRANSDUCERS 2003 - Digest of Technical Papers - Boston, United States
Duration: 8 Jun 200312 Jun 2003

Publication series

NameTRANSDUCERS 2003 - 12th International Conference on Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems, Digest of Technical Papers
Volume1

Conference

Conference12th International Conference on Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems, TRANSDUCERS 2003 - Digest of Technical Papers
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston
Period8/06/0312/06/03

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2003 IEEE.

Keywords

  • Annealing
  • Atomic layer deposition
  • Image resolution
  • Lattices
  • Microscopy
  • Solids
  • Sputtering
  • Surface resistance
  • Transducers
  • Tunneling

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