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

Abstract

There are provided a point contact array, in which a plurality of point contacts are arranged, each point contact electrically and reversibly controlling conductance between electrodes and being applicable to an arithmetic circuit, a logic circuit, and a memory device, a NOT circuit, and an electronic circuit using the same. A circuit includes a plurality of point contacts each composed of 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. A NOT circuit is realized using a device which includes 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.