
From left to right, graduate students Yutong Guo and Anindita Chakravarty work in the lab of Huamin Li, assistant professor of electrical engineering. Credit: Douglas Levere, University at Buffalo.
The two dimensional structure could by key for quantum computing, extending Moore’s Law
University at Buffalo researchers are reporting a new, two-dimensional transistor made of graphene and the compound molybdenum disulfide that could help usher in a new era of computing.
As described in a paper accepted at the 2020 IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting, which is taking place virtually next week, the transistor requires half the voltage of current semiconductors. It also has a current density greater than similar transistors under development.
This ability to operate with less voltage and handle more current is key to meet the demand for new power-hungry nanoelectronic devices, including quantum computers.
“New technologies are needed to extend the performance of electronic systems in terms of power, speed, and density. This next-generation transistor can rapidly switch while consuming low amounts of energy,” says the paper’s lead author, Huamin Li, Ph.D., assistant professor of electrical engineering in the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS).
The transistor is composed of a single layer of graphene and a single layer of molybdenum disulfide, or MoS2, which is a part of a group of compounds known as transition metals chalcogenides. The graphene and MoS2 are stacked together, and the overall thickness of the device is roughly 1 nanometer — for comparison, a sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers.
While most transistors require 60 millivolts for a decade of change in current, this new device operates at 29 millivolts.
It’s able to do this because the unique physical properties of graphene keep electrons “cold” as they are injected from the graphene into the MoS2 channel. This process is called Dirac-source injection. The electrons are considered “cold” because they require much less voltage input and, thus, reduced power consumption to operate the transistor.
An even more important characteristic of the transistor, Li says, is its ability to handle a greater current density compared to conventional transistor technologies based on 2D or 3D channel materials. As described in the study, the transistor can handle 4 microamps per micrometer.
“The transistor illustrates the enormous potential 2D semiconductors and their ability to usher in energy-efficient nanoelectronic devices. This could ultimately lead to advancements in quantum research and development, and help extend Moore’s Law,” says co-lead author Fei Yao, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Materials Design and Innovation, a joint program of SEAS and UB’s College of Arts of Sciences.
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Two-dimensional transistor
- Gallium nitride: the allrounder among semiconductorson January 26, 2021 at 2:42 am
As the name says, semiconductors are materials that can conduct a current, similar to metals. The advantage is, that in semiconductors the conduction can be tuned on demand during the fabrication.
- Important milestone in the creation of a quantum computer — ScienceDailyon January 23, 2021 at 11:35 pm
Important milestone in the creation of a quantum computer — ScienceDaily. Quantum Computer: One of the obstacles to progress in the quest ...
- Atom-thin transistor uses half the voltage of common semiconductors, boosts current densityon January 20, 2021 at 4:00 pm
BUFFALO, N.Y. — University at Buffalo researchers are reporting a new, two-dimensional transistor made of graphene and the compound molybdenum disulfide that could help usher in a new era of computing ...
- Important Milestone in the Creation of a Quantum Computer That Uses Transistors As Qubitson January 14, 2021 at 5:48 am
One of the obstacles for progress in the quest for a working quantum computer has been that the working devices that go into a quantum computer and perform the actual calculations, the qubits, have ...
- Bound-charge engineering: A new strategy to develop nanowire transistorson January 13, 2021 at 6:40 am
In recent years, physicists and electronic engineers have been trying to identify materials that could be used to fabricate new types of electronic devices. One-dimensional (1-D) and two-dimensional ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Two-dimensional transistor
Go deeper with Bing News on:
2D semiconductors
- Research network aims to drive generation of nanostructures with finely focused ion beamson January 25, 2021 at 9:55 am
A finely focused ion beam (FIB) is a very useful tool in nanotechnology and analytics. Until now, scientists have mainly used FIB technology to prepare samples for certain microscopic techniques, such ...
- Flip Chip Technologies Market Dynamics, Segments and Supply Demand Forecast 2021 – 2024on January 21, 2021 at 7:23 am
As per the latest report published by Variant Market Research, Global flip chip technologies market is estimated to ...
- The Chip Industry’s Next-Gen Roadmapon January 21, 2021 at 12:05 am
SRC's new CEO sheds some light on next-gen projects involving everything from chiplets to hyperdimensional computing and mixed reality.
- 3D Semiconductor Packaging Market Future Trends, Historical Analysis, Competitive Landscape and Regional Forecast 2021 – 2024on January 20, 2021 at 5:35 am
Global 3D Semiconductor Packaging Market is estimated to reach $12 Billion by 2024; growing at a CAGR of 15.2% from 2016 ...
- The chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) slurry market is expected to register a CAGR of 7% during the forecast period (2020 - 2025)on January 20, 2021 at 3:14 am
Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) Slurry Market - Growth, Trends and Forecasts (2020 - 2025)" - The increasing investment in semiconductor ...