Computer Aided Design of Atomic Electronics with Coupled Atomic Silicon Quantum Dots

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Demonstrations of revolutionary nanoscale logic devices which are 2-3 orders of magnitude smaller than modern transistor-based logic gates have sparked tremendous interests to explore this emerging computational technology which promises ultra-low power, smaller size, and high frequency operation. These logic devices consist of atomic silicon quantum dots (ASiQD) manufactured on the surface of silicon with atomically-accurate precision, able to carry charges that represent bit information positionally. These type of logic devices fall under the field-coupled nanocomputing (FCN) paradigm, which the Walus Lab has expertise in through computational and theoretical studies as well as from experimental collaborations. Notably, QCADesigner and SiQAD are both CAD tools developed by my group to contribute to FCN research. QCADesigner has enabled a significant number of high quality studies into emerging FCN device designs and has seen hundreds of citations; SiQAD is developed specifically for the ASiQD technology with graphical design tools and physically calibrated physics simulators. The vast FCN experience in my group, combined with the solid foundations offered by SiQAD which allows us to use it as a jumping board for further research, allows us to set the following key high-level objectives: (1) develop new physical simulation routines which capture more physical effects; (2) develop design automation frameworks for ASiQD technology to allow rapid scaling of high level explorations; (3) develop machine learning agents which autonomously create logic gates; (4) develop and calibrate computational models for interfacing devices, including single-electron transistors based on ASiQDs; and (5) explore semi-classical and quantum regime applications such as quantum random number generation. Over the course of the project, 3 PhD students, 2 master's students, and 4 undergraduate research assistants will work towards the above objectives with opportunities to advance their skills in fields that are in-demand: quantum engineering, machine learning, design automation, and more. Trained HQPs will make an immediate impact on Canada's technological advancement and national strategy. This project already sees involvement from multiple established collaborators, allowing us to push the boundaries of ASiQD research with researchers worldwide. Notably, we have long-standing collaboration relations with Prof. Robert Wolkow's experimental lab at the University of Alberta and Quantum Silicon Inc, which seeks to commercialize ASiQD technologies. Working with our collaborators, we have been actively making ASiQD accessible to other researchers via computational techniques and novel design tools. We are positioned to both advance the frontier of computational research at the atomic scale and contribute to Canada's capacity to lead future high technology.