Craig S. Lent

Quantum cellular automata

The authors formulate a new paradigm for computing with cellular automata (CAS) composed of arrays of quantum devices-quantum cellular automata. Computing in such a paradigm is edge driven. Input, output, and power are delivered at the edge of the CA array only; no direct flow of information or energy to internal cells is required. Computing in this paradigm is also computing with the ground state. The architecture is so designed that the ground-state configuration of the array, subject to boundary conditions determined by the input, yields the computational result. The authors propose a specific realization of these ideas using two-electron cells composed of quantum dots. The charge density in the cell is very highly polarized (aligned) along one of the two cell axes, suggestive of a two-state CA. The polarization of one cell induces a polarization in a neighboring cell through the Coulomb interaction in a very non-linear fashion. Quantum cellular automata can perform useful computing. The authors show that AND gates, OR gates, and inverters can be constructed and interconnected.

Logical devices implemented using quantum cellular automata

We examine the possible implementation of logic devices using coupled quantum dot cells. Each quantum cell contains two electrons which interact Coulombically with neighboring cells. The charge distribution in each cell tends to align along one of two perpendicular axes, which allows the encoding of binary information using the state of the cell. The state of each cell is affected in a very nonlinear way by the states of its neighbors. A line of these cells can be used to transmit binary information. We use these cells to design inverters, programmable logic gates, dedicated AND and OR gates, and non‐interfering wire crossings. Complex arrays are simulated which implement the exclusive‐OR function and a single‐bit full adder.

A device architecture for computing with quantum dots

We describe a paradigm for computing with interacting quantum dots, quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA). We show how arrays of quantum-dot cells could be used to perform useful computations. A new adiabatic switching paradigm is developed which permits clocked control, eliminates metastability problems, and enables a pipelined architecture.

The quantum transmitting boundary method

A numerical algorithm for the solution of the two‐dimensional effective mass Schrodinger equation for current‐carrying states is developed. Boundary conditions appropriate for such states are developed and a solution algorithm constructed that is based on the finite element method. The utility of the technique is illustrated by solving problems relevant to submicron semiconductor quantum device structures.

Clocking of molecular quantum-dot cellular automata

Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) may provide a novel way to bypass the transistor paradigm to form ultrasmall computing elements. In the QCA paradigm information is represented in the charge configuration of a QCA cell, which maps naturally to a binary model. Molecular QCA implementations are being explored where the quantum dots in the cell take the form of redox centers in a molecule. Clocking has proved important in QCA cells synthesized so far. Here we examine a method to clock molecular QCA cells which are assembled at an interface. The clocking signals in this scheme originate from wires buried below the QCA surface. We present a simplified model of this clocking method and examine its behavior as a molecular shift register.

Bistable saturation in coupled quantum dots for quantum cellular automata

A simple model quantum dot cell containing two electrons is analyzed as a candidate for quantum cellular automata implementations. The cell has eigenstates whose charge density is strongly aligned along one of two directions. In the presence of the electrostatic perturbation due to a neighboring cell, the ground state is nearly completely aligned (polarized) in one direction only. The polarization is a highly nonlinear function of the perturbing electrostatic fields and shows the strong bistable saturation important for cellular automation function.

Damped oscillations in reflection high energy electron diffraction during GaAs MBE

Oscillations in the time evolution of electron diffraction during MBE growth of GaAs are shown to be related to periodic variations in the step distributions on GaAs surfaces during epitaxial growth. Unintentionally doped GaAs surfaces were first prepared by MBE. Then the Ga flux is interrupted until an instrument limited diffraction pattern was obtained. During this process the angular width of the specular beam was measured versus time. When the Ga flux there are intensity oscillations that are weak near the Bragg angle. At the Bragg angle, where the diffraction is insensitive to surface steps, the length of the specular RHEED streak does not change. At angles between the Bragg angles, where steps lengthen the streaks, there are periodic variations in the streak length. We interpret the results in terms of a model in which a partially completed surface has a step distribution with smaller average terrace lengths than a completed surface.

Dynamic behavior of quantum cellular automata

We examine the dynamic behavior of quantum cellular automata, arrays of artificial quantum‐dot cells that can be used to perform useful computations. The dynamics of the array can be solved directly, retaining the full many‐electron degrees of freedom only for small array sizes. For larger arrays, we develop several approximate techniques for reducing the size of the basis set required. We examine the effect of intercellular quantum correlations on the switching response. Several important examples of switching behavior are solved using the techniques developed.

Power gain and dissipation in quantum-dot cellular automata

Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) may provide a novel way to bypass the transistor paradigm to form molecular-scale computing elements. In the QCA paradigm information is represented by the charge configuration of a QCA cell. We develop a theoretical approach, based on the density matrix formalism, which permits examination of energy flow in QCA devices. Using a simple two-state model to describe the cell, and an energy relaxation time to describe the coupling to the environment, we arrive at an equation of motion well suited to the quasi-adiabatically switched regime. We use this to examine the role of power gain and power dissipation in QCA cells. We show that QCA cells can exhibit true signal power gain. The energy lost to dissipative processes is restored by the clock. We calculate the power dissipated to the environment in QCA circuits and show that it is possible to achieve the ultralow levels of power dissipation required at molecular densities.

Clocked molecular quantum-dot cellular automata

Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) is an approach to computing that eliminates the need for current switches by representing binary information as the configuration of charge among quantum dots. For molecular QCA, redox sites of molecules serve as the quantum dots. The Coulomb interaction between neighboring molecules provides device-device coupling. By introducing clocked control of the QCA cell, power gain, reduced power dissipation, and computational pipelining can be achieved. We present an ab initio analysis of a simple molecular system, which acts as a clocked molecular QCA cell. The intrinsic bistability of the molecular charge configuration results in dipole or quadrupole fields that couple strongly to the state of neighboring molecules. We show how clocked control of the molecular QCA can be accomplished with a local electric field.