Quantum-dot devices and quantum-dot cellular automata

We discuss novel nanoelectronic architecture paradigms based on cells composed of coupled quantum-dots. Boolean logic functions may be implemented in specific arrays of cells representing binary information, the so-called Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata (QCA). Cells may also be viewed as carrying analog information and we outline a network-theoretic description of such Quantum-Dot Nonlinear Networks (Q-CNN). In addition, we discuss possible realizations of these structures in a variety of semiconductor systems (including GaAs/AlGaAs, Si/SiGe, and Si/SiO2), rings of metallic tunnel junctions, and candidates for molecular implementations.