Interfacing CMOS and Self-Assembled Nanostructures

本研究的目的是量子点元胞自动机（QCA）纳米电子学和传统电子学的接口。随着CMOS的规模接近尾声，必须找到新的器件来克服功率密度的问题。量子点元胞自动机是一个很有前途的新范例，然而，硅晶体管有这么多的优点，纳米电子必须接口到CMOS。该方法是圣母大学和弗吉尼亚大学的团队合作，将传统的放大和接口电路与使用SiGe量子点分子的引导自组装生长的纳米电子电路集成在芯片上。该项目的智力价值在于其对纳米电子学和CMOS的很少探索的接口的调查。 虽然功耗将限制CMOS在高性能电路中的应用，但它将在未来很长一段时间内用于电路块。该项目将通过将GeSi QCA单元的生长集成到CMOS制造序列中来推动该领域的发展。更广泛的影响：拟议的项目将在技术和教育方面产生更广泛的影响。纳米电子学和CMOS电路的接口将使电子工业超越CMOS。该项目将通过研究，学习和指导他人塑造研究生和本科生的经验。 一个重要的组成部分是一个针对中学生的外展计划，通过课堂活动和实地考察，把学生带到圣母院实验室。中学生是一个很好的推广群体，因为他们仍然在选择自己感兴趣的领域。

The objective of this research is to interface Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) nanoelectronics and conventional electronics. As scaling of CMOS nears its end it is imperative to find new devices to overcome the problem of power density. Quantum-dot cellular automata is a promising new paradigm, however, silicon transistors have so many advantages that nanoelectronics must be made to interface to CMOS. The approach, a collaboration of groups at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Virginia, is to integrate conventional amplification and interface circuitry on-chip with nanoelectronic circuits grown using guided self-assembly of SiGe quantum dot molecules. The intellectual merit of the project is in its investigation of the little-explored interface of nanoelectronics and CMOS. Although power dissipation will limit CMOS in high-performance circuits, it will be used in circuit blocks far into the future. This project will move the field forward by integrating the growth of GeSi QCA cells into the CMOS fabrication sequence. Broader Impact: The proposed project will have a broader impact in both technology and education. Interfacing nanoelectronics and CMOS circuitry should enable the electronics industry to move beyond CMOS. The project will shape the experience of the graduate and undergraduate students through research, study, and mentoring others. An important component is an outreach program targeting middle school students through classroom activities, and field trips to bring students to the Notre Dame labs. Middle school aged children are an excellent group for outreach since they are still making choices about their areas of interests.