Simplifying Hybrid Semiconductor-Nanodevice Circuits

by Konstantin Likharev SPIE Newsroom, accessed 7 Sep 2006 The current revolution in information technology arose from exponential progress in integrated circuits thanks largely to miniaturization. Over the next decade, however, that progress looks set to slow, for the following reason. The workhorse device of integrated circuits is the silicon field-effect transistor, which requires accurate lithographic creation of several dimensions, including the length and width of its conducting channel. As these devices are scaled down, quantum-mechanical effects demand increasingly precise lithography, which is much more expensive. At some point, scaling will bring diminishing returns. Unfortunately, alternative electronic devices either run into similar fabrication problems, have lower functionality, or both. Read more