Nanotube-based transfer devices and related circuits
First Claim
1. A nanotube transfer device, comprising:
- a first output node connected to a first network;
a second output node connected to a second network;
a nanotube channel element including at least one electrically conductive nanotube, each end of said nanotube channel element being pinned in a fixed position by an insulating structure, said nanotube channel element being electrically isolated by the insulating structure and not in physical contact with either of said first output node or said second output node thereby forming an OFF state of the device; and
a control structure having one control electrode disposed in relation to the nanotube channel element to controllably form an electrically conductive channel between said first output node and said second output node through said nanotube channel element, thereby forming an ON state of the device wherein an arbitrary signal is transferred between said first output node and said second output node;
wherein the OFF state of the device is effectuated by the nanotube channel element having a first operating voltage range and wherein the ON state of the device is effectuated only by the control electrode having a second operating voltage range, and wherein an upper operating voltage of said second operating voltage range exceeds an upper operating voltage of said first operating range by at least an amount sufficient to form the electrically conductive channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Nanotube transfer devices controllably form a nanotube-based electrically conductive channel between a first node and a second node under the control of a control structure. A control structure induces a nanotube channel element to deflect so as to form and unform the conductive channel between the nodes. The nanotube channel element is not in permanent electrical contact with either the first node or the second node. The nanotube channel element may have a floating potential in certain states of the device. Each output node may be connected to an arbitrary network of electrical components. The nanotube transfer device may be volatile or non-volatile. In preferred embodiments, the nanotube transfer device is a three-terminal device or a four-terminal device. Electrical circuits are provided that ensure proper switching of nanotube transfer devices interconnected with arbitrary circuits. The circuits may overdrive the control structure to induce the desired state of channel formation.
164 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A nanotube transfer device, comprising:
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a first output node connected to a first network; a second output node connected to a second network; a nanotube channel element including at least one electrically conductive nanotube, each end of said nanotube channel element being pinned in a fixed position by an insulating structure, said nanotube channel element being electrically isolated by the insulating structure and not in physical contact with either of said first output node or said second output node thereby forming an OFF state of the device; and a control structure having one control electrode disposed in relation to the nanotube channel element to controllably form an electrically conductive channel between said first output node and said second output node through said nanotube channel element, thereby forming an ON state of the device wherein an arbitrary signal is transferred between said first output node and said second output node; wherein the OFF state of the device is effectuated by the nanotube channel element having a first operating voltage range and wherein the ON state of the device is effectuated only by the control electrode having a second operating voltage range, and wherein an upper operating voltage of said second operating voltage range exceeds an upper operating voltage of said first operating range by at least an amount sufficient to form the electrically conductive channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A transfer device circuit, comprising:
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a nanotube transfer device, including a first node, a second node, a nanotube channel element including at least one electrically conductive nanotube, and a control structure disposed in relation to the nanotube channel element; and a signal shaping circuit electrically coupled to said control structure, said signal shaping circuit receiving an input signal and providing a control signal representative of said input signal to the control structure, wherein each end of said nanotube channel element is pinned in a fixed position by an insulating structure, and wherein the nanotube channel element controllably forms an electrically conductive channel and transfers an arbitrary signal between said first node and said second node in response to a first value of said control signal at only said control structure, regardless of an electrical potential of the nanotube channel element; and wherein the nanotube channel element unforms the electrically conductive channel in response to a second value of said control signal at only said control structure such that the nanotube channel element is electrically isolated by the insulating structure, the nanotube channel element not in contact with either of said first and second nodes. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification