Realization of a functional cell for quantum-dot cellular automata

This paper presents an experimental demonstration of a basic cell of the quantum-dot cellular automata, a transistorless approach to computation that addresses the issues of device density, interconnection, and power dissipation. The device under study was composed of four metal dots, connected with tunnel junctions and capacitors, and operated at <50 mK. Operation was evidenced by switching of a single electron between output dots controlled by a single electron switching in input dots, demonstrating a nonlinear, bistable response.