A Complementary Resistive Switch-based Crossbar Array Adder

Redox-based resistive switching devices (ReRAM) are an emerging class of non-volatile storage elements suited for nanoscale memory applications. In terms of logic operations, ReRAM devices were suggested to be used as programmable interconnects, large-scale look-up tables or for sequential logic operations. However, without additional selector devices these approaches are not suited for use in large scale nanocrossbar memory arrays, which is the preferred architecture for ReRAM devices due to the minimum area consumption. To overcome this issue for the sequential logic approach, we recently introduced a novel concept, which is suited for passive crossbar arrays using complementary resistive switches (CRSs). CRS cells offer two high resistive storage states, and thus, parasitic sneak currents are efficiently avoided. However, until now the CRS-based logic-in-memory approach was only shown to be able to perform basic Boolean logic operations using a single CRS cell. In this paper, we introduce two multi-bit adder schemes using the CRS-based logic-in-memory approach. We proof the concepts by means of SPICE simulations using a dynamical memristive device model of a ReRAM cell. Finally, we show the advantages of our novel adder concept in terms of step count and number of devices in comparison to a recently published adder approach, which applies the conventional ReRAM-based sequential logic concept introduced by Borghetti et al.Comment: 12 pages, accepted for IEEE Journal on Emerging and Selected Topics in Circuits and Systems (JETCAS), issue on Computing in Emerging Technologie

Applicability of Well-Established Memristive Models for Simulations of Resistive Switching Devices

Highly accurate and predictive models of resistive switching devices are needed to enable future memory and logic design. Widely used is the memristive modeling approach considering resistive switches as dynamical systems. Here we introduce three evaluation criteria for memristor models, checking for plausibility of the I-V characteristics, the presence of a sufficiently non-linearity of the switching kinetics, and the feasibility of predicting the behavior of two anti-serially connected devices correctly. We analyzed two classes of models: the first class comprises common linear memristor models and the second class widely used non-linear memristive models. The linear memristor models are based on Strukovs initial memristor model extended by different window functions, while the non-linear models include Picketts physics-based memristor model and models derived thereof. This study reveals lacking predictivity of the first class of models, independent of the applied window function. Only the physics-based model is able to fulfill most of the basic evaluation criteria.Comment: 9 pages; accepted for IEEE TCAS-

Engineering design of the FRX-C experiment

Research on Compact Toroid (CT) configurations has been greatly accelerated in the last few years because of their potential for providing a practical and economical fusion system. Los Alamos research is being concentrated on two types of configurations: (1) magnetized-gun-produced Spheromaks (configurations that contain a mixture of toroidal and poloidal fields); and (2) field-reversed configurations (FRCs) that contain purely poloidal magnetic field. This paper describes the design of FRX-C, a field-reversed theta pinch used to form FRCs

Shallow rainwater lenses in deltaic areas with saline seepage

In deltaic areas with saline seepage, freshwater availability is often limited to shallow rainwater lenses lying on top of saline groundwater. Here we describe the characteristics and spatial variability of such lenses in areas with saline seepage and the mechanisms that control their occurrence and size. Our findings are based on different types of field measurements and detailed numerical groundwater models applied in the south-western delta of the Netherlands. By combining the applied techniques we could extrapolate measurements at point scale (groundwater sampling, temperature and electrical soil conductivity (TEC)-probe measurements, electrical cone penetration tests (ECPT)) to field scale (continuous vertical electrical soundings (CVES), electromagnetic survey with EM31), and even to regional scale using helicopter-borne electromagnetic measurements (HEM). The measurements show a gradual mixing zone between infiltrating fresh rainwater and upward flowing saline groundwater. The mixing zone is best characterized by the depth of the centre of the mixing zone <i>D</i><sub>mix</sub>, where the salinity is half that of seepage water, and the bottom of the mixing zone <i>B</i><sub>mix</sub>, with a salinity equal to that of the seepage water (Cl-conc. 10 to 16 g l<sup>−1</sup>). <i>D</i><sub>mix</sub> is found at very shallow depth in the confining top layer, on average at 1.7 m below ground level (b.g.l.), while <i>B</i><sub>mix</sub> lies about 2.5 m b.g.l. The model results show that the constantly alternating upward and downward flow at low velocities in the confining layer is the main mechanism of mixing between rainwater and saline seepage and determines the position and extent of the mixing zone (<i>D</i><sub>mix</sub> and <i>B</i><sub>mix</sub>). Recharge, seepage flux, and drainage depth are the controlling factors

FRC formation and trapping by counter injection for MTF liner implosions

A new simplified design is being developed for injecting and trapping Field-Reversed Configurations (FRCs) into liners, which is compatible with the energetic liner implosions of interest for Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF). Conical theta pinches that inject from each end of the liner region are proposed. The conical angle can be chosen to make axial translation out of the conical theta pinch into the liner region occur on approximately the same time scale as radial compression. Thus no crowbar switch is needed for the high-voltage fast-rising current pulse. The toroidal field from conical theta-pinch injection and/or Z-pinch preionization should rapidly annihilate upon merging of the two oppositely directed FRCs. Two dc coils in a Helmholtz-like configuration are all that are needed to serve the functions of cusp, translation, and mirror fields for trapping in the liner. The mirror strength required for trapping is not as critical as when using onesided injection because the merging FRCs have no net momentum when they collide. Previously observed damping of axial kinetic energy suggests that viscous damping parallel to B 'is strong for FRCs with mfp comparable to FRC length, and conversion of directed energy to thermal energy should occur on a time scale comparable to the injection time. The electrical/mechanical details will be described, accompanied by numerical simulations of FRC formation using the MACH2 numerical code

The effect of artificial diffusivity on the flute instability

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Recent FRC translation experiments on FRX-C/T

Since the last CT Symposium, several accomplishments have been realized from the FRC translation studies on the FRX-C/T device: (1) FRCs have been launched into, and trapped in, a dc magnetic guide field region without the use of any pulsed ''gate'' coils; (2) detailed studies of translation dynamics have been performed which are consistent with energy conservation, adiabatic compression theory, and 2-D MHD simulations; (3) the confinement properties of translated FRC has been evaluated; (4) translation through either puff or static deuterium gas fill has been demonstrated; (5) higher density (n less than or equal to 4 x 10/sup 15/ cm/sup -3/) FRCs have been translated over 10-m lengths; (6) the n = 2 rotational instability has been stabilized by FRC translation into a weak helical quadrupole field

Theoretical studies of field-reversed configurations (FRCs) and experimental study of the FRC during translation

Theoretical studies of FRC stability and tranport are summarized. Finite Larmor radius theories are shown to be unreliable for explaining the experimentally observed stability to tilting. Control of the n=2 rotational instability has been demonstrated in 2-dimensional hybrid-code simulations, and the stability appears to be described within MHD if the nearly square equilibria that result from quadrupole fields are taken into account. Simulations of the lower-hybrid-drift instability in parameter regimes relevant to experiments show good agreement with a nonlocal theory of the instability. A 1.5-dimensional transport code shows agreement with the energy confinement time but disagreement with the flux loss time observed in FRX-C. The process of FRC translation in which the plasma is formed, translated into a dc solenoid, and trapped by magnetic mirrors has been studied in the FRX-C/T experiment

Towards Oxide Electronics:a Roadmap

At the end of a rush lasting over half a century, in which CMOS technology has been experiencing a constant and breathtaking increase of device speed and density, Moore's law is approaching the insurmountable barrier given by the ultimate atomic nature of matter. A major challenge for 21st century scientists is finding novel strategies, concepts and materials for replacing silicon-based CMOS semiconductor technologies and guaranteeing a continued and steady technological progress in next decades. Among the materials classes candidate to contribute to this momentous challenge, oxide films and heterostructures are a particularly appealing hunting ground. The vastity, intended in pure chemical terms, of this class of compounds, the complexity of their correlated behaviour, and the wealth of functional properties they display, has already made these systems the subject of choice, worldwide, of a strongly networked, dynamic and interdisciplinary research community. Oxide science and technology has been the target of a wide four-year project, named Towards Oxide-Based Electronics (TO-BE), that has been recently running in Europe and has involved as participants several hundred scientists from 29 EU countries. In this review and perspective paper, published as a final deliverable of the TO-BE Action, the opportunities of oxides as future electronic materials for Information and Communication Technologies ICT and Energy are discussed. The paper is organized as a set of contributions, all selected and ordered as individual building blocks of a wider general scheme. After a brief preface by the editors and an introductory contribution, two sections follow. The first is mainly devoted to providing a perspective on the latest theoretical and experimental methods that are employed to investigate oxides and to produce oxide-based films, heterostructures and devices. In the second, all contributions are dedicated to different specific fields of applications of oxide thin films and heterostructures, in sectors as data storage and computing, optics and plasmonics, magnonics, energy conversion and harvesting, and power electronics