Direct-coupled Josephson full adder

We describe a one-bit full adder circuit constructed from direct-coupled Josephson logic elements. The basic gate, which can perform various logic functions, consists of two Josephson junctions and two resistors connected in a loop. Switching the junctions into the finite-voltage state diverts the bias current into a parallel output line, which is directly coupled through the junctions of successive logic elements. The adder is constructed with a 100 μm basic linewidth and 25 μm square tin tunnel junctions. It operates under all input data conditions with an add time of about 1 nS and a power dissipation of 1 μW per gate.