High-speed low-energy heat signal processing via digital-compatible binary switch with metal-insulator transitions

The analog aspects of the thermistor circuits have limited the full management of thermal degrees of freedom in electronics. In this study, the binary thermistor using the VO
₂
metal-insulator transition enables the direct conversion of the heat signal to the digital bit. The bidirectional conversion is also demonstrated by using the binary thermistor with the microscopic Joule heater, enabling the heat-mediated data transfer between electrically insulated systems. These devices can operate at high speed (sub-ns) and low energy (sub-pJ) due to the microscopic heat confinement and the absence of analog-digital conversion. The heat signal processing technology will enable the local heat management in electronics as well as the convenient implementation of non-charge-based functionalities.