Logic or memory element based on n-stable phase-locking of single-electron tunneling oscillation, and computer using the same

An input/output circuit for interfacing between an external direct current logic signal and an alternating current phase state in an internal logic circuit, said input/output circuit comprising:

• a single-electron tunneling element excited by a pump signal supplied from an alternating current power source, and including at least one tunneling junction with a minute metal-insulator-metal sandwich structure, and a biasing power source which is connected in series to said at least one tunneling junction and whose ON/OFF operation is controlled by an external control input, wherein single-electron tunneling oscillations are generated in said at least one tunneling junction and the generated oscillations are phase-locked to subharmonics of said pump signal to thus exhibit a plurality of stable phase states;
• and
• at least one phase shifter connected between an output end of said single-electron tunneling element and said internal logic circuit, wherein
• said at least one phase shifter is bought to an active state based on said external direct current logic signal, to thereby interface between the direct current logic signal and said alternating current phase state.

A logic network constituted so as to realize a predetermined logic operation in a computer, comprising:

• a plurality of gates operatively connected to each other so as to carry out said predetermined logic operation, and each including a single-electron tunneling element;
• and
• an alternating current power source which supplies a pump signal for exciting each single-electron tunneling element in said plurality of gates, wherein
• each single-electron tunneling element in said plurality of gates includes at least one tunneling junction and a biasing power source which is connected in series to said at least one tunneling junction and whose ON/OFF operation is controlled by a corresponding external control input, wherein single-electron tunneling oscillations are generated in said at least one tunneling junction and the generated oscillations are phase-locked to subharmonics of said pump signal to thus exhibit a plurality of stable phase states, and wherein
• an input signal with a frequency half that of said pump signal is continually applied to a specified gate among said plurality of gates, while the biasing power sources of all of the gates are kept in ON state.

A logic network constituted so as to realize a predetermined logic operation in a computer, comprising:

• a plurality of gates operatively connected to each other so as to carry out said predetermined logic operation, and each including a single-electron tunneling element;
• and
• an alternating current power source which supplies a pump signal for exciting each single-electron tunneling element in said plurality of gates, wherein
• each single-electron tunneling element in said plurality of gates includes at least one tunneling junction and a biasing power source which is connected in series to said at least one tunneling junction and whose ON/OFF operation is controlled by a corresponding external control input, wherein single-electron tunneling oscillations are generated in said at least one tunneling junction and the generated oscillations are phase-locked to subharmonics of said pump signal to thus exhibit a plurality of stable phase states, and wherein
• when the biasing power source of a specified gate among said plurality of gates is switched ON, the biasing power sources of all of a first group of gates providing inputs to said specified gate, and the biasing power sources of all of a second group of gates providing inputs to said first group of gates, are kept in an ON state.