Wolfgang Porod and Gary H. Bernstein "NER: Computing Architectures for Coupled Nanomagnets"
We explore the feasibility of developing computing architectures implemented in magnetically-coupled arrays of nanometer-sized dots and pillars. Similar to the electronic Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata (QCA) scheme, which was previously developed by the Notre Dame group, information is encoded in the magnetization of single-domain permanent-magnet structures, and the physical interaction between neighboring magnets provides the local connectivity. The main goal of this project is to investigate how logic functions can be realized in structured arrays of coupled nanomagnets. We propose a joint theoretical and experimental approach to explore the feasibility of such magnetic QCA-like architectures for computing and signal processing. Once feasibility of elementary logic functions is established, one may envision special-purpose cellular processor cells composed of coupled nanoscale magnetic sensors and memories. The robustness of such magnetic systems opens the potential for applications where nanometer-sized, yet rugged, systems are required with a wide range of operating temperatures.
