Point contact array, not circuit, and electronic circuit comprising the same

Abstract

A point contact array, including plural point contacts electrically and reversibly controlling conductance between electrodes and being applicable to an arithmetic circuit, a logic circuit, a memory device, a NOT circuit, and an electronic circuit including the same. The circuit includes plural point contacts each including a first electrode made of a compound conductive material having ionic conductivity and electronic conductivity and a second electrode made of a conductive substance. The conductance of each point contact is controlled to realize the circuit. AgS, AgSe, CuS, or CuSe is preferably used as the compound conductive material. When a semiconductor or insulator material is interposed between the electrodes, a crystal or an amorphous material of GeS, GeSe, GeTe, or WO(0<x<100) is preferably used as the semiconductor or insulator material. The NOT circuit is realized using a device including an atomic switch serving as a two-terminal device, the device including a first electrode made of a compound conductive material having ionic conductivity and electronic conductivity and a second electrode made of a conductive substance, and capable of controlling conductance between the electrodes.