A quantum dot image processor

A two-dimensional (2-D) periodic array of quantum dots, where each dot is coupled with its nearest neighbors and interfaced with an underlying material exhibiting a negative differential resistance, is theoretically investigated as a dynamical system for image processing. A circuit level study of such a system is performed and the circuit parameters for this paper are extracted by experimentally measuring them in an electrochemically self-assembled quasi-periodic quantum dot array. Large 2-D dot arrays with 4-neighborhood rectangular lattice structure are then simulated and it is shown that if image data are introduced as initial conditions to these arrays, the steady-state response of the system realizes an image processing task similar to edge detection-enhancement. In addition, the quantum dot architecture is capable of horizontal-vertical line detection with a simple arrangement of the coupling resistances between the dots. These applications are demonstrated via numerical experiments.