Molecular quantum-dot cellular automata

Abstract

Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) is an approach to computing which eliminates the need for transistors by representing binary digits as charge configurations rather than current levels. Coulomb interactions provide device-device coupling without current flow. Clocked control of the device allows power gain, control of power dissipation, and pipelined computation. Molecular QCA uses redox sites of molecules as quantum dots. We present an ab initio analysis of a simple molecular system which acts as a clocked molecular QCA cell.