Quantum Hall Fabry–Pérot interferometer: Logic gate responses

Abstract

We discuss the electron transport through a quantum Hall Fabry–Pérot interferometer (QHFPI) obtained with two quantum point contacts (QPCs) in series along a ballistic quantum wire by focusing on the effects due to quantum interference and to quantum Hall effect. We calculate the conductance-energy and conductance-magnetic field characteristics as functions of the geometrical parameters and gate voltages. QHFPI may be utilized in designing electronic logic gates: XOR and OR (NOR and XNOR) gates responses are investigated. The width of each QPC is modulated by metallic electrodes where two gate voltages, namely, Va and Vb, are applied. Those external voltages are treated as the two inputs of the gates. After fixing appropriately the working Fermi energy, the magnetic field strength, and the distance between the barriers, a low output Hall current (0) (in the logical sense) appears just if both inputs are low (0), while a high output Hall current (1) results otherwise. It clearly demonstrates the OR gate behavior. By changing the parameters, a XOR gate can be produced, where a high output current (1) appears, when just one of the two inputs is low (0), while a low output current (0) results if both inputs are low (0) or high (1).