University collaboration to benefit Asian, global chip makers
These materials, called III-V compound semiconductors because their chemical elements are referenced in the third and fifth columns of the universal chemistry periodical tables, will serve as alternatives to current technologies and will extend silicon's known capabilities as the preferred semiconductor.
Today's bulk silicon CMOS is known as the classical material, whereas the Non-Classical CMOS Research Centre will facilitate the introduction of III-V compounds for sustaining CMOS viability in future end-use applications.
"While all good things must come to an end, we plan for the Non-Classical CMOS Research Centre to ensure that Moore's Law will be alive and well for several more generations," said Dr. Jim Hutchby, director of Device Sciences for the Global Research Collaboration (GRC), a unit of the SRC that is responsible for narrowing the options for carrying CMOS to its ultimate limit. "And when the day comes that Moore's Law for classical silicon CMOS is no longer a viable solution, we'll have developed a new set of materials and devices for improvements to speed and power of the historically successful CMOS technology."
Results from the research are projected to enhance speed for CMOS gates and lower power dissipation in circuits. Significant impact on chip manufacturing is expected as early as 2012-2014. In comparison, the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) calls for alternative materials to be available to address semiconductor production at the 22-nm level around 2016-2019.
