Observable changes in electrical and optical characteristics of individual
molecules adsorbed on a conductor or semi-conductor caused by electrical and/or
optical excitation or de-excitation of electrons within such molecules can be used
as signals which in turn can be used to carry information and such observable information
carrying changes or signals can be switched, amplified, and modulated by varying
optical as well as electrical inputs to such molecules. Molecular structural design
alters functional behavior of the molecular/quantum devices. In an example, monomeric
metallated phthalocyanine behaves as a fast (<10-12 second), energy
efficient (3OkT/bit of information), fully reversible quantum switch with multiple
outputs. However, if monomeric phthalocyanines are organized in structural combinations
such as one dimensional wire-like ring-stacked, or two dimensional sheet-like ring-fused
phthalocyanines, their electro-optical properties are significantly altered. As
a consequence, their functionality behaves with properties that can replace a multiplicity
of CMOS and similar classic semiconductor devices.