Abstract
We consider how to make best use of imperfect objects, such as defective analog and digital components. We show that perfect, or near-perfect, devices can be constructed by taking combinations of such defects. Any remaining objects can be recycled efficiently. In addition to its practical applications, our “defect combination problem” provides a novel generalization of classical optimization problems.
- Received 20 September 2001
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.028701
©2002 American Physical Society
