Monday, September 12, 2005

Microlithography-Free Multi-Valued Analog Memory Device Using Self-Assembled Nanoparticle Films

by Y. Suganuma & A. -A. Dhirani Nanotechnology E-Newsletter, September 2005 Digital computers use binary states, typically represented by 0 and 5V, to store and process information at all stages of a calculation. If more states, ideally a continuum, were available in between, the density of information could be dramatically increased. We have shown that self-assembled nanoparticle films can be used to implement this kind of continuous-state or analog information storage. Information is written in the film by trapping charges in a local, gatemodified potential, and is then read out using the film’s built-in ability to sense charge via Coulomb blockade. Read more