Toward cascadable microelectromechanical resonator logic units based on second vibration modes

S Ilyas,M I Younis,Md A A Hafiz,H Fariborzi,S Ahmed

doi:10.1063/1.5049875

S Ilyas, M I Younis + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5049875

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Abstract

Micro/nano-electromechanical resonator-based logic elements have revitalized the notion of mechanical computing as a potential alternative to surpass the limitations of semiconductor electronics. A vital step forward for this technology is to develop a platform for cascadable logic units that communicate among each other executable signals of the same form; which is key to construct true and complex computation machines. Here, we utilize the dynamic characteristics of a clamped-clamped microbeam vibrating at the second resonance mode to realize cascadable logic elements. The logic operations are performed by on-demand activation and deactivation of the second mode of vibration of a clamped-clamped microbeam resonator. Fundamental logic gates, such as OR, XOR, and NOT, which constitute a functionally complete set for digital applications are demonstrated experimentally. We show that the demonstrated approach unifies the input and output signal waveform and performs all the gate operations on a single operating frequency, hence satisfying the prerequisites to realize cascadable resonator logic devices. This can potentially pave the way for the development of a novel technology platform for an alternative computing paradigm.

Highlights

Linear and nonlinear dynamics of electrostatically actuated micro/nanoelectromechanical (M/NEM) resonators have been investigated extensively1–6 and used for various practical applications including mechanical computing.7–22 The renewed interest in mechanical computing in the last decade has been driven by the need to replace transistors, which are soon to reach their fundamental limits due to leakage, interconnect delays, and heat generation; by leakage free, multi-function, and possibly reconfigurable logic elements
Dynamic M/NEMS resonators have been proposed as logic elements,11–22 where the output logic states have been encoded in the vibration amplitudes and/or phase
In spite of some intriguing developments in this field, micro/nano-resonator based logic devices have failed to show the potential for cascading, in which the output of one unit serves as input aAuthors contributed to this work bmohammad.Younis@kaust.edu.sa

Summary

Introduction

Linear and nonlinear dynamics of electrostatically actuated micro/nanoelectromechanical (M/NEM) resonators have been investigated extensively1–6 and used for various practical applications including mechanical computing.7–22 The renewed interest in mechanical computing in the last decade has been driven by the need to replace transistors, which are soon to reach their fundamental limits due to leakage, interconnect delays, and heat generation; by leakage free, multi-function, and possibly reconfigurable logic elements. Toward cascadable microelectromechanical resonator logic units based on second vibration modes We demonstrate cascadable logic elements that are operated with AC signals as inputs and produce AC signals as outputs; all at the same frequency.

Results

Conclusion