Pushing the limits of computer chip miniaturization
Discussion of "limits" well below
those noted in Silicon Valley press releases
Over the last four decades, computer chips have found
their way into virtually every electronic device in the world. During that time
they have become smaller, cheaper and more powerful, but, for a team of European
researchers, there is still plenty of scope to push back the limits of
miniaturisation.
The Pullnano Project...is currently working on developing nodes as small as 32nm and even 22nm.
At the 32nm scale, in particular, quantum mechanical effects come into play in a big way. One major problem the Pullnano researchers have solved is reducing current leakage at the logic gate by using a hafnium compound-based insulator with higher dielectric strength than traditional silicon dioxide.
“We’ve achieved a 100-fold reduction in gate leakage,” Thomas says, noting that it is the first time the oxide – the ’O’ in CMOS – has been replaced with a different material.
But as nodes keep getting smaller, a point will inevitably be reached when it is simply no longer feasible to continue to reduce the minimum feature size to make space for more transistors. Thomas describes this point as the semiconductor industry’s “million-dollar question”, although he estimates that it will probably be around the 16nm or 11nm mark.
Still, the significant increase in performance already achieved outweighs many of the future questions to be asked - and answered.
The Pullnano Project...is currently working on developing nodes as small as 32nm and even 22nm.
At the 32nm scale, in particular, quantum mechanical effects come into play in a big way. One major problem the Pullnano researchers have solved is reducing current leakage at the logic gate by using a hafnium compound-based insulator with higher dielectric strength than traditional silicon dioxide.
“We’ve achieved a 100-fold reduction in gate leakage,” Thomas says, noting that it is the first time the oxide – the ’O’ in CMOS – has been replaced with a different material.
But as nodes keep getting smaller, a point will inevitably be reached when it is simply no longer feasible to continue to reduce the minimum feature size to make space for more transistors. Thomas describes this point as the semiconductor industry’s “million-dollar question”, although he estimates that it will probably be around the 16nm or 11nm mark.
Still, the significant increase in performance already achieved outweighs many of the future questions to be asked - and answered.
Posted: Mon - January 14, 2008 at 08:18 AM