Nanowire crossbar arrays as address decoders for integrated nanosystems

Science. 2003 Nov 21;302(5649):1377-9. doi: 10.1126/science.1090899.

Abstract

The development of strategies for addressing arrays of nanoscale devices is central to the implementation of integrated nanosystems such as biological sensor arrays and nanocomputers. We report a general approach for addressing based on molecular-level modification of crossed semiconductor nanowire field-effect transistor (cNW-FET) arrays, where selective chemical modification of cross points in the arrays enables NW inputs to turn specific FET array elements on and off. The chemically modified cNW-FET arrays function as decoder circuits, exhibit gain, and allow multiplexing and demultiplexing of information. These results provide a step toward the realization of addressable integrated nanosystems in which signals are restored at the nanoscale.