Towards nanoelectronics: possible CNN implementations using nanoelectronic devices

Abstract

We discuss novel nanoelectronic architecture paradigms based on cells composed of coupled quantum-dots. Boolean logic functions may be implemented in specific arrays of cells representing binary information, the so-called quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA). Cells may also be viewed as carrying analog information and we outline a network-theoretic description of such quantum-dot nonlinear networks (Q-CNN). In addition, we discuss possible realizations of these structures in a variety of semiconductor systems, rings of metallic tunnel junctions, and candidates for molecular implementations.