CAREER: Improving the Performance of Quantum-dot Cellular Automata

量子点细胞自动机(QCA)是一种利用量子效应进行计算的方法。QCA是量子点单元的阵列，每个单元包含规则排列的量子点和有限数量的电子。电子被允许在点之间开凿隧道。单元的特殊排列反映了计算问题，而电子的最低能量分布反映了计算结果。QCA引起了人们的极大关注，因为它们似乎是可以在物理上实现的，只需对当前的制造技术进行轻微的改进。在由原始QCA逻辑器件组成的QCA电路中，下游器件的状态会对上游器件的状态产生不利影响。部分解决方案源于重新设计原始元素。这项工作的一个方面是量化重新设计的元件的成本，设计更具成本效益的解决方案，并确定使用未经纠正的设备的风险。第二个方面涉及通过架构改变来设计适用于更高运行温度的QCA。第三个方面是研究具有更平滑能量空间的类QCA器件，以消除亚稳态。教育计划包括开发一门新的CS/EE研究生课程，名为《计算的新体系结构》。该课程将以QCA、纯量子计算、DNA计算和其他新型体系结构的理论和实践为特色。理论部分将包括源自研究计划部分的模块。学生将选择一个主题，进行少量但重要的原创性研究，并将论文提交到适当的地点。

Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) are a method of computing via quantum effects. QCA are arrays of quantum-dot cells with each cell containing a regular arrangement of quantum dots and a limited number of electrons. The electrons are allowed to tunnel between dots. The particular arrangement of cells reflects the computational problem, while the lowest energy distribution of electrons reflects the computational result. QCA have garnered much attention because they seem to be physically realizable with slight improvements in current fabrication techniques. Advantages include faster computation, denser circuits, and extremely low power consumption.In a QCA circuit composed of primitive QCA logic devices, the state of downstream devices can adversely affect the state of upstream devices. A partial solution stems from redesigning the primitive elements. One aspect of this work is to quantify the cost of redesigned elements, to devise more cost-effective solutions, and to determine the risks of using uncorrected devices. The second aspect involves designing QCA for higher operational temperatures via architectural changes. The third aspect concerns investigation of QCA-like devices with smoother energy spaces for eliminating meta-stable states.The education plan includes the development of a new CS/EE graduate course, entitled New Architectures for Computing. The course will feature theory and practice concerning QCA, pure quantum computing, DNA computing, and other novel architectures. The theory portion will include modules stemming from portions of the research plan. Students will chose a topic, perform a small but significant amount of original research, and submit a paper to an appropriate venue.