Design of Multi-Layer Single-Electron Information-Processing Circuit Mimicking Behavior of Bubble Film for Solving Nonlinear Problem

We propose a new single-electron (SE) circuit mimicking a behavior of bubble film. The SE device that can operate using individual electrons by controlling a quantum effect (Coulomb blockade) has tunnel junctions as a main component [1]. It is known that it has many advantages, including extremely low power consumption, being high integrability. However, there is a problem that an optimal information-processing way has not been established, although many applications for SE devices have been proposed up to now. As a candidate of the way, we draw inspiration from a natural phenomenon, i.e., behaviors shown in soap bubble films, that can be regarded as a form of information processing. The bubble film forms a special structure caused that the surface tension of the film has the minimum energy. From the perspective of engineering, it can be assumed to solve a certain nonlinear problem that is the shortest Steiner problem using this property. For example, when two plastic boards are prepared, placed face to face, connected each other using a few plastic pillars, immersed in the bubble liquid, and pulled up, then the bubble film shrinks depend on the placed pillars. It is known that this shrunken form of the file shows the solution of the shortest Steiner problem [2]. In this study, we aim to design a new information-processing system on the SE devices that can solve the shortest Steiner problem by mimicking the behavior of the bubble film.