A Single-Molecule Digital Full Adder

A specifically designed aza-starphene molecule is presented where contacting one, two, and/or three single Al adatoms allows this molecule to function as a 3-inputs & 2-outputs digital full adder on a Au(111) surface. Sequentially positioning single Al adatoms with atomic precision to interact with aza-starphene, inputs one classical digit per Al, which is converted to quantum information by the molecule. The intramolecular logical calculations do not require a solid-state digital full adder cascade-like architecture. The measured Boolean truth table results in part from the quantum level repulsion effect and in part from a nonlinear magnetic effect also intrinsic to the aza-starphene molecule with its contacted Al adatoms.

Automated summary

A specifically designed molecule functions as a digital full adder on a gold surface, with 3 inputs and 2 outputs. By interacting with aluminum atoms, classical digits are converted to quantum information, eliminating the need for a solid-state digital full adder cascade-like architecture. The results are influenced by quantum level repulsion and nonlinear magnetic effects intrinsic to the molecule.