The NOT gate, also known as an inverter, is a basic logic gate that outputs the opposite (inverted) value of its input. The integrated circuit (IC) most commonly used for a NOT gate is the **7404**.
### IC 7404: Hex Inverter
- **Type**: It contains six independent NOT gates (inverters) in a single IC.
- **Package**: Usually comes in a 14-pin dual in-line package (DIP), but also available in surface-mount packages.
- **Function**: Each gate has one input and one output, providing the logical inversion of the input.
### Other NOT Gate ICs:
While the 7404 is the most common, there are also other IC families that include NOT gates:
- **74LS04**: Low-power Schottky version of the 7404 IC, designed to offer faster speeds and lower power consumption.
- **CD4049**: This IC, part of the CMOS logic family, has six inverters as well, similar to the 7404 but uses CMOS technology.
- **74HC04**: Part of the 74HC (High-Speed CMOS) family, providing high-speed operation and lower power compared to traditional TTL ICs.
These ICs are widely available and can be used in a variety of applications where logical inversion is required.