Improved Field-Effect Switches using Electron Bunching Mediated by Lattice Distortions

本研究的目的是通过开发具有改进开关（开关）特性的分子尺度晶体管来提高未来超大规模集成系统的性能。通过降低静态功耗，可以实现总体功耗和系统性能的大幅提升。该方法是利用存在于工程分子材料中的极化效应，使电子结合在一起，导致在分子通道中形成电子束，这些电子束表现为携带数倍基本电荷的载流子。该方法利用载波聚束的新概念来提高场效应器件的性能。这可能会导致革命性的性能改进，而无需改变电路设计范例。此外，由于所提出的方法可通过分子设计进行扩展，因此它为未来的非常密集和非常大的集成电路提供了一条途径。事实上，降低开关功率，同时保持高开/关比可能仍然是半导体行业最重要的工程挑战。更广泛的影响该计划将研究和教育结合起来，探索采用新型电荷-晶格相互作用效应的新型纳米级电子器件。这项研究将与业界紧密合作进行，让参与研究的学生接受训练，将纳米科技的进步应用于现实世界的解决方案。纳米科学和纳米技术的公众教育是该计划的一个组成部分，通过吸引公众倡导者参与研究计划。

0601734PeumansThe objective of this research is to improve the performance of future very-large-scale-integrated systems by developing molecular-scale transistors that have improved switching (on-off) characteristics. By reducing the static power consumption, large gains in overall power consumption and system performance will be achievable. The approach is to exploit polaronic effects present in engineered molecular materials to cause electrons to bind together, leading to the formation of electron bunches in the molecular channel that behave as charge carriers with several times the elementary charge. Intellectual MeritThe proposed approach uses the novel concept of carrier bunching to improve the performance of field-effect devices. This may result in a revolutionary improvement in performance without requiring a change in circuit design paradigms. Moreover, since the proposed approach is scalable through molecular design, it provides a path toward the very dense and very large integrated circuits of the future. Indeed, lowering the switching power, , while maintaining a high on/off ratio will remain perhaps the most important engineering challenge for the semiconductor industry. Broader ImpactThe proposed program integrates research and education to explore novel, nanoscale electronic devices which employ novel charge-lattice interaction effects. The research will be conducted in close collaboration with industry such that the participating students will be trained to apply advances in nanotechnology for real-world solutions. Public education in nanoscience and nanotechnology is an integral part of the program through engaging public advocates in the research program.