ELEG 867 Nanotechnology
Homework #5 - due 10 am*, Monday, 22 October 2001

1. Millikan’s Oil Drop Experiment.

2.  For the single electron transistor (SET) structure, show by calculation that the electrostatic energy is the same for the charge on the dot of N and N+1 electrons, whenever the gate voltage charging parameter is C_dotV_g = -Q_o = (N+1/2)e .

3.  Calculate the following properties of an inverter based on the single electron transistor, using the approach of p. 62-63 in Chapter 2 of G. Timp. The data are repeated here: C_S = C_D, C_G = 1.2 fF = 8C_D, R_S = R_D = R_T = 10¹² Ohm; V_DD = e/2C_sum. (a) Estimate the numerical value of the voltage gain A_v = ΔV_out/ΔV_in by assuming that the input electron charges the capacitance of C_G in series with C_S, and that the output electron discharges C_D in series with C_S; (b) what is the maximum operating temperature assuming that the thermal voltage (kT) must be less than the output voltage swing expected for a single electron; (c) Estimate the new voltage gain if the output drives the input (C_G in series with C_S) of an identical inverter (i.e. Fan out = 1).

For proper credit, include the course number, assignment number, and
due date on your submission.

* the reason for the 10 am due date is because these topics will be on the midterm exam