Fundamentals of Organic Anti-Ambipolar Ternary Inverters

Abstract

Digital logic accommodating more than two data levels is at the forefront of future high-information-density electronics. The fundamental mechanisms of the organic ternary inverters relying on anti-ambipolarity are revealed. Ideally combining the analytical and predictive capabilities of simulation, the three distinctive regimes of operation are identified, and systematic guidelines for how to balance the “0,” “1/2,” and “1” voltage levels are suggested. Most importantly, the junction energy barrier and minority carrier penetration are found to be critical to this type of inverter. In time with the increasing viability of flexible multi-valued logic circuits, such theoretical insights are positioned to spearhead the next engineering efforts on optimized performances.