Carbon nanotubes for high-performance logic

Zhihong Chen, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
H.S. Phillip Wong, Stanford University
Subhasish Mitra, Stanford University
Aggeth Bol, Eindhoven University of Technology
Lianmao Peng, Peking University
Gage Hills, Stanford University
Nick Thissen, Eindhoven University of Technology

Abstract

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were discovered in 1993 and have been an area of intense research since then. They offer the right dimensions to explore material science and physical chemistry at the nanoscale and are the perfect system to study low-dimensional physics and transport. In the past decade, more attention has been shifted toward making use of this unique nanomaterial in real-world applications. In this article, we focus on potential applications of CNTs in the high-performance logic computing area-the main component of the semiconductor industry. We discuss the key challenges for nanotubes to replace silicon in integrated circuits and review progress made in recent years on the material, device, and circuit integration development of CNT technology.

Discipline(s)

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology