Simulation of single‐electron logic circuits

Using the Monte Carlo simulation which can handle the motion of each electron, the transient operation characteristic of a quasi‐CMOS inverter circuit proposed by Tucker [1] was evaluated. It was found that: (1) the output voltage of the inverter circuit depends on the load capacitance, and (2) the propagation delay time can be as short as 10 ps if a tunnel junction with a capacitance of 1 aF is formed. In addition, by evaluating the standard deviation of the inverter output signal, the limit of operating temperature for the integrated circuit was analyzed quantitatively.