Memristive Sisyphus circuit for clock signal generation

Abstract

Frequency generators are widely used in electronics. Here, we report the design and experimental realization of a memristive frequency generator employing a unique combination of only digital logic gates, a single-supply voltage and a realistic threshold-type memristive device. In our circuit, the oscillator frequency and duty cycle are defined by the switching characteristics of the memristive device and external resistors. We demonstrate the circuit operation both experimentally, using a memristor emulator, and theoretically, using a model memristive device with threshold. Importantly, nanoscale realizations of memristive devices offer small-size alternatives to conventional quartz-based oscillators. In addition, the suggested approach can be used for mimicking some cyclic (Sisyphus) processes in nature, such as "dripping ants" or drops from leaky faucets.

7 pages, 4 figures

References in corpus (6)

• Memory effects in complex materials and nanoscale systems
• A high-sensitivity gate-based charge sensor in silicon
• Sisyphus cooling and amplification by a superconducting qubit
• Complex dynamics and scale invariance of one-dimensional memristive networks
• Sisyphus Thermalization of Photons in a Cavity-Coupled Double Quantum Dot
• Delayed-response quantum back-action in nanoelectromechanical systems