Abstract: A nanoscale switching device is constructed such that an electroforming process is not needed to condition the device for normal switching operations. The switching device has an active region disposed between two electrodes. The active region has at least one switching layer formed of a switching material capable of transporting dopants under an electric field, and at least one conductive layer formed of a dopant source material containing dopants that can drift into the switching layer under an electric field. The switching layer has a thickness about 6 nm or less.

Abstract: A chemical-analysis device integrated with a metallic-nanofinger device for chemical sensing. The chemical-analysis device includes a metallic-nanofinger device, and a platform. The metallic-nanofinger device includes a substrate, and a plurality of nanofingers coupled with the substrate. A nanofinger of the plurality includes a flexible column, and a metallic cap coupled to an apex of the flexible column. At least the nanofinger and a second nanofinger of the plurality of nanofingers are to self-arrange into a close-packed configuration with at least one analyte molecule. A morphology of the metallic cap is to generate a shifted plasmonic-resonance peak associated with amplified luminescence from the analyte molecule. A method for using, and a chemical-analysis apparatus including the chemical-analysis device are also provided.

Abstract: A metal-insulator transition switching device includes a first electrode and a second electrode. A channel region which includes a bulk metal-insulator transition material separates the first electrode and the second electrode. A method for forming a metal-insulator transition switching device includes depositing a layer of bulk metal-insulator transition material in between a first electrode and a second electrode to form a channel region and forming a gate electrode operatively connected to the channel region.

Abstract: A two-dimensional array of switching devices comprises a plurality of crossbar tiles. Each crossbar tile has a plurality of row wire segments intersecting a plurality of column wire segments, and a plurality of switching devices each formed at an intersection of a row wire segment and a column wire segment. The array has a plurality of lateral latches disposed in a plane of the switching devices. Each lateral latch is linked to a first wire segment of a first crossbar tile and a second wire segment of a second crossbar tile opposing the first wire segment. The lateral latch is operable to close or open to form or break an electric connection between the first and second wire segments.

Abstract: A switching device includes at least one bottom electrode and at least one top electrode. The top electrode crosses the bottom electrode at a non-zero angle, thereby forming a junction. A metal oxide layer is established on at least one of the bottom electrode or the top electrode. A molecular layer including a monolayer of organic molecules and a source of water molecules is established in the junction. Upon introduction of a forward bias, the molecular layer facilitates a redox reaction between the electrodes, thereby reducing a tunneling gap between the electrodes.

Abstract: A metallic-nanofinger device for chemical sensing. The device includes a substrate, and a plurality of nanofingers. A nanofinger includes a flexible column, and a metallic cap coupled to an apex of the flexible column. At least the nanofinger and a second nanofinger are to self-arrange into a close-packed configuration with at least one analyte molecule disposed between at least the metallic cap and a second metallic cap of respective nanofinger and second nanofinger. A morphology of the metallic cap is to generate a shifted plasmonic-resonance peak associated with amplified luminescence from the analyte molecule. A coating encapsulating the metallic cap to respond upon exposure to a liquid, and a chemical-sensing chip including the metallic-nanofinger device are also provided.

Abstract: Transmitting nodes broadcast chirped signals on a wireless network. The transmitting nodes are time-synchronized with each other and location of the transmitting nodes is known. A receiver node detects beat frequencies created by pairs of chirped signals from different pairs of transmitting nodes. Time delay differences between chirped signals in respective beat frequency pairs are determined. The receiver node's location is determined in view of the time delay differences.

Abstract: A memristor includes a first electrode formed of a first metal, a second electrode formed of a second material, wherein the second material comprises a different material from the first metal, and a switching layer positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. The switching layer is formed of a composition of a first material comprising the first metal and a second nonmetal material, in which the switching layer is in direct contact with the first electrode and in which at least one conduction channel is configured to be formed in the switching layer from an interaction between the first metal and the second nonmetal material.

Abstract: A stateful negative differential resistance device includes a first conductive electrode and a second conductive electrode. The device also includes a first material with a reversible, nonvolatile resistance that changes based on applied electrical energy and a second material comprising a differential resistance that is negative in a locally active region. The first material and second material are sandwiched between the first conductive electrode and second conductive electrode. A method for using a stateful NDR device includes applying programming energy to the stateful NDR device to set a state of the stateful NDR device to a predetermined state and removing electrical power from the stateful NDR device. Power-up energy is applied to the stateful NDR device such that the stateful NDR device returns to the predetermined state.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to electronic devices, which combine reconfigurable diode rectifying states with nonvolatile memristive switching. In one aspect, an electronic device (210,230,240) comprises an active region (212) sandwiched between a first electrode (104) and a second electrode (106). The active region includes two or more semiconductor layers and at least one dopant that is capable of being selectively positioned within the active region to control the flow of charge carriers through the device.

Abstract: A photonic interconnect method avoids high capacitance electric interconnects by using optical signals to communicate data between devices. The method can provide massively parallel information output by mapping logical addresses to frequency bands, so that modulation of a selected frequency band can encode information for a specific location corresponding to the logical address. Wavelength-specific directional couplers, modulators, and detectors, which can be fabricated at defects in a photonic bandgap crystal, can be employed for the photonic interconnect method. The interconnect method can be used for both classical and quantum information processing.

Abstract: An electrically actuated device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an active region disposed between the first and second electrodes. At least two dopants are present in a spatially varying region of the active region prior to device actuation. The at least two dopants have opposite conductivity types and different mobilities.

Abstract: An addressable nano-scale mechanical actuator is formed at the intersection of two nanowires. The actuator has an active region disposed between the two nanowires, which form the electrodes of the actuator. The active region contains an electrolytically decomposable material. When an activation voltage is applied to the electrodes, the material releases a gas that forms a bubble at one electrode, causing a bulging of a top surface of the actuator. The bulging may be used, via mechanical coupling, to provide mechanical actuation on a nanometer scale. The nanowires may be arranged in a two-dimensional array to provide an array of individually addressable actuators.

Abstract: A metal-insulator transition (MIT) latch includes a first electrode spaced apart from a second electrode and an MIT material disposed between said first and second electrodes. The MIT material comprises a negative differential resistance (NDR) characteristic that exhibits a discontinuous resistance change at a threshold voltage or threshold current. Either the first or second electrode is electrically connected to an electrical bias source regulated to set a resistance phase of the MIT material.

Abstract: A field-programmable analog array (FPAA) includes a digital signal routing network, an analog signal routing network, switch elements to interconnect the digital signal routing network with the analog signal routing network, and a configurable analog block (CAB) connected to the analog signal routing network and having a programmable resistor array. The switch elements are implemented via digital memristors, the programmable resistor array is implemented via analog memristors, and/or antifuses within one or more of the digital signal routing network and the analog signal routing network are implemented via digital memristors.

Abstract: Chaotic oscillator-based random number generation is described. In an example, a circuit includes a negative differential resistance (NDR) device to receive an alternating current (AC) bias. The circuit further includes a capacitance in parallel with the NDR device, the capacitance having a value such that, in response to a direct current (DC) bias applied to the NDR device and the capacitance, a voltage across the capacitance oscillates with a chaotic period. The circuit further includes a random number generator to generate random numbers using samples of the voltage across the capacitance.

Abstract: A multilayer structure is disclosed that includes a conductive layer, a layer of a negative differential resistance (NDR) material disposed above the conductive layer, a layer M2 disposed above the NDR material, a second layer of NDR material disposed above layer M2, and a conductive layer disposed above the second NDR layer. Layer M2 can include a conductive material interspersed with regions of a dielectric material or a layer of the dielectric material and regions of the conductive material disposed above and below the dielectric material.

Abstract: A memristor with a switching layer that includes a composite of multiple phases is disclosed. The memristor comprises: a first electrode; a second electrode spaced from the first electrode; and a switching layer positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, the switching layer comprising the multi-phase composite system that comprises a first majority phase comprising a relatively insulating matrix of a switching material and a second minority phase comprising a relatively conducting material for forming at least one conducting channel in the switching layer during a fabrication process of the memristor. A method of making the memristor and a crossbar employing the memristor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A scattering spectroscopy apparatus, system and method employ guided mode resonance (GMR) and a GMR grating. The apparatus includes a GMR grating having a subwavelength grating, and an optical detector configured to receive a portion of a scattered signal produced by an interaction between an excitation signal and an analyte associated with a surface of the GMR grating. A propagation direction of the received portion of the scattered signal is substantially different from a propagation direction of a GMR-coupled portion of the excitation signal within the GMR grating. The system includes the apparatus and an optical source. The method includes exciting a GMR in a GMR grating, interacting a GMR-coupled portion of the excitation signal with an analyte to produce a scattered signal and detecting a portion of the scattered signal.

Abstract: A surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy system includes a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate and a laser source configured to emit light within a spectrum of wavelengths toward a predetermined species on or near the surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate. The system further includes a set of filters positioned to be in optical communication with light scattered after the laser light interacts with the predetermined species. Each of the filters in the set is respectively configured to pass scattered light within a different predetermined narrow band of wavelengths. The system also includes a plurality of photodetectors, where each photodetector is positioned adjacent to a respective one of the filters in the set and is configured to output a signal if the scattered light passes through the respective one of the filters. The set of filters is targeted for detection of characteristic peaks of the predetermined species.