Molecular 'OR' and 'AND' logic gates integrated in a single molecule

Based on the N electrodes elastic scattering quantum chemistry (NESQC) technique, an intramolecular circuit simulator is presented for the design of electronic logic functions integrated inside a single molecule interconnected to the N electrodes. Using molecular rectifier groups, a molecule-OR and a molecule-AND are designed, their current-voltage characteristics calculated and their logic response presented. Both the OR and AND molecules have approximatively the targeted function. The running current of the OR gate, 10 fA, is quite low and the AND gate works only in an output voltage mode. This forbids the design of larger logic functions inside a single molecule with molecular rectifiers. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.