Ternary logic circuit using resonant-tunneling transistors

摘要

A logic gate including a resonant-tunneling transistor and a resistor connected in series thereto. The resonant-tunneling transistor has a superlattice structure. The resonant-tunneling transistor may be a resonant-tunneling hot electron transistor or a resonant-tunneling bipolar transistor. The resonant-tunneling transistor conducts a current between a collector and an emitter. The current has one of at least three different current values in response to a base voltage of one of three different voltage values. The third current value is between the first and second current values, and a second voltage value is between the first and third voltage values. The logic gate outputs one of at least three states, a high state, a low state and a state approximately between the high and low states in response to a signal applied to the logic gate. The signal has an amplitude of one of the first to third voltage values. A logic circuit includes at least three connected resonant-tunneling transistors. The logic circuit maintains at least three states, a high state, a low state, and a state approximately between the high and low states in the respective three resonant-tunneling transistors in response to a pulse signal applied to a base of one of the resonant-tunneling transistors.