Scientists design a molecular insulator that may make computer chips smaller

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-07 01:11:01|Editor: yan

WASHINGTON, June 6 (Xinhua) -- An international research team comprising scientists from Denmark, China and America developed the first insulating molecule more effectively than a vacuum barrier, making transistors in a computer chip potentially smaller and more powerful.

They reported in a study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature their design of an extremely rigid silicon-based molecule under one nanometer in length that can block tunneling conduction at the nanoscale.

The phenomenon called "quantum mechanical tunneling" is the major challenge when the gap between two metal electrodes narrows to the point that electrons are no longer contained by their barriers, causing leakage current. It is a hurdle standing in the way of making transistors smaller, according to the researchers.

"Our molecular strategy represents a new design principle for classic devices, with the potential to support continued miniaturization in the near term," said Columbia University engineering physicist and the paper's co-author Latha Venkataraman, who heads the lab where researcher Li Haixing conducted the project's experimental work.

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http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-06/07/c_137235559.htm

[lapfog_1]

1. It should be pointed out that tunneling is only one difficultly in further shrinking transistors.

There are many other challenges starting with gate currents, etc.