Translating the Integration Challenges to Molecular Device Requirements - Analysis of Scaling Constraints in Molecular Random Access Memories

C.J. Amsinck, N.H. Di Spigna, D.P. Nackashi and P.D. Franzon
North Carolina State University, US

Keywords: molecular electronics, random access memories, scalability, device integration, molecular memory

Abstract:
Integrating molecular memory devices into large scale arrays is a key requirement for translating the miniature size of molecular devices into ultradense memory systems. This in turn imposes constraints on the individual molecular memory devices. A circuit theory approach is used to derive a general parameterized memory circuit model, from which quantitative relationships between the device on:off ratio, noise margin and memory size are studied. Assuming a small interconnect impedance and a reasonable noise margin, a 7:1 on:off ratio would be sufficient for a 4kbit memory, while a 16kbit memory would require a 13:1 ratio. Parasitic impedances become significant in architectures employing molecular interconnect, and full-scale memory circuit simulations are presented as a case study. This way, trends for the impact of all system parameters on system scalability are examined.

Nanotech 2004 Conference Technical Program Abstract