Fundamental energy limits in the physics of small-scale binary switches

Binary switches are the basic element of modern digital computers. In this paper we discuss the role of switching procedure with reference to the fundamental limits in minimum energy dissipation. We show that the minimum energy depends on the switching procedure and test this result with micromagnetic simulations of a nanoscale switch realized with single cylindrical element of permalloy (NiFe). Finally we establish a relation between minimum energy and switching error probability.