OVERVIEW OF NANOELECTRONIC DEVICES

This paper provides art overview of research developments toward nanom eter-scale electronic switching devices for use in building ultra-dens ely integrated electronic computers. Specifically, two classes of alte rnatives to the field-effect transistor are considered: 1) quantum-eff ect and single-electron solid-state devices and 2) molecular electroni c devices. A taxonomy of devices in each class is provided, operationa l principles are described and compared for the various types of devic es, and the literature about each is surveyed. This information is pre sented in nonmathematical terms intended for a general, technically in terested readership.