US 6,586,965 B2 · Molecular crossbar latch

Abstract

A molecular crossbar latch is provided, comprising two control wires and a signal wire that crosses the two control wires at a non-zero angle to thereby form a junction with each control wire. Each junction forms a switch and the junction has a functional dimension in nanometers. The signal wire selectively has at least two different voltage states, ranging from a 0 state to a 1 state, wherein there is an asymmetry with respect to the direction of current flow from the signal wire through one junction compared to another junction such that current flowing through one junction into (out of) the signal wire can open (close) while current flowing through the other junction out of (into) the signal wire can close (open) the switch, and wherein there is a voltage threshold for switching between an open switch and a closed switch. Further, methods are provided for latching logic values onto nanowires in a logic array, for inverting a logic value, and for restoring a voltage value of a signal in a nano-scale wire.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A molecular crossbar latch comprising two control wires and a signal wire that crosses the two control wires at a non-zero angle to thereby form a junction with each control wire, wherein each junction forms a switch and each said junction has a functional dimension in nanometers, with said signal wire selectively having at least two different voltage states, ranging from a 0 state to a 1 state, wherein there is an asymmetry with respect to the direction of current flow from said signal wire through one junction compared to another junction such that current flowing through one junction into or out of said signal wire can open or close, respectively, said switch, while current flowing through said other junction out of or into said signal wire can close or open, respectively, said switch, and wherein there is a voltage threshold for switching between an open switch and a closed switch.

A method for latching logic values onto nanowires in a logic array, said method comprising:

(a) providing a molecular crossbar latch comprising two control wires and a signal wire that crosses the two control wires at a non-zero angle to thereby form a junction with each control wire, wherein each junction forms a switch and each said junction has a functional dimension in nanometers, with said signal wire selectively having at least two different voltage states, ranging from a 0 state to a 1 state, wherein there is an asymmetry with respect to the direction of current flow from said signal wire through one junction compared to another junction such that current flowing through one junction into or out of said signal wire can open or close, respectively, said switch, while current flowing through said other junction out of or into said signal wire can close or open, respectively, said switch, and wherein there is a voltage threshold for switching between an open switch and a closed switch;
and
(b) applying a sequence of voltages to said two control wires that results in setting said switches of said two junctions such that either said first switch is open and said second switch is closed if said signal wire has a voltage representing a logic 0, or said first switch is closed and said second switch is open if said signal wire has a voltage representing a logic 1.

A method for restoring a weakened voltage value of a signal to its full value in a nano-scale switch, said method comprising:

(a) providing a molecular crossbar latch comprising two control wires and a signal wire that crosses the two control wires at a non-zero angle to thereby form a junction with each control wire, wherein each junction forms a switch and each said junction has a functional dimension in nanometers, with said signal wire selectively having at least two different voltage states, ranging from a 0 state to a 1 state, wherein there is an asymmetry with respect to the direction of current flow from said signal wire through one junction compared to another junction such that current flowing through one junction into or out of said signal wire can open or close, respectively, said switch, while current flowing through said other junction out of or into said signal wire can close or open, respectively, said switch, and wherein there is a voltage threshold for switching between an open switch and a closed switch;
(b) latching said signal by applying a sequence of voltages to said two control wires that results in setting said switches of said two junctions such that either said first switch is open and said second switch is closed if said signal wire has a voltage representing a logic 0, or said first switch is closed and said second switch is open if said signal wire has a voltage representing a logic 1;
and
(c) placing a voltage representing logic 1 on said first control wire and a voltage representing logic 0 on said second control wire.

1 more element

A method for inverting the logic value of a signal in a nano-scale switch, said method comprising:

(a) providing a molecular crossbar latch comprising two control wires and a signal wire that crosses the two control wires at a non-zero angle to thereby form a junction with each control wire, wherein each junction forms a switch and each said junction has a functional dimension in nanometers, with said signal wire selectively having at least two different voltage states, ranging from a 0 state to a 1 state, wherein there is an asymmetry with respect to the direction of current flow from said signal wire through one junction compared to another junction such that current flowing through one junction into or out of said signal wire can open or close, respectively, said switch, while current flowing through said other junction out of or into said signal wire can close or open, respectively, said switch, and wherein there is a voltage threshold for switching between an open switch and a closed switch;
(b) latching said signal by applying a sequence of voltages to said two control wires that results in setting said switches of said two junctions such that either said first switch is open and said second switch is closed if said signal wire has a voltage representing a logic 0, or said first switch is closed and said second switch is open if said signal wire has a voltage representing a logic 1;
and
(c) placing a voltage representing logic 0 on said first control wire and a voltage representing logic 1 on said second control wire.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Molecular crossbar latch

Life of this patent

Molecular crossbar latch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30