2D material thin-film transistors and components for RF/mixed-signal applications

手持通信覆盖超过2B人，将他们与全球经济中的社交网络、娱乐、银行和商业交易连接起来。对更高连接性的需求正在推动未来几代配备高级显示屏的手持和可穿戴移动设备朝着轻便、灵活和透明的电子产品方向创新。尽管传统的薄膜晶体管(TFT)取得了进展，但其脆弱的性质和低速度使其不适合用于射频/混合信号电子电路或显示器。二维(2D)电子材料有望在接近单个原子厚度的一层中以更低的功耗提高机械稳定性、光学透明度和非常高的速度。在这一战略项目中，我们的研究团队正在探索未来无线设备和显示器的令人兴奋的新途径，使用2D材料TFT和用于RF/混合信号电路应用的元件。过渡金属硫化物(TMC，如MoS2)将使用喷墨打印集成到2D层中。印刷电子学使得能够制造具有统一结构和电特性的溶液处理的2D器件。我们的研究人员在该项目中开发的计算机模拟工具将准确地预测2D材料的TFT行为。这些模拟将指导改进的TFT和电路原型的制造和设计。与今天的硅芯片相比，多层2D材料在提高射频组件(例如传输线和电感)和电路的性能方面具有很高的潜力。利用多层石墨烯的优异电学性能的无源器件将在原型射频前端滤波器和RFID接收器中进行演示。用于存储和修剪TFT电路的可编程结构被整合到RFID演示器中，以提高其健壮性并增加混合信号能力。这一战略项目对于加拿大确保新的创新并在无线技术和物联网(IoT)连接的新兴市场建立领导地位至关重要。

Handheld communication reaches more than 2B people, connecting them to social networks, entertainment, and banking and business transactions across the global economy. The demand for greater connectivity is driving innovation toward lightweight, flexible, and transparent electronics for the future generations of handheld and wearable mobiles with advanced displays. Despite advances in conventional thin-film transistors (TFTs), their fragile nature and low speed make them unsuitable for RF/mixed-signal electronic circuits or displays. Two-dimensional (2D) electronic materials promise improved mechanical stability, optical transparency, and very high speed at lower power consumption in a layer approaching the thickness of a single atom. Our research team is exploring exciting new pathways to future wireless devices and displays using 2D-material TFTs and components for RF/mixed-signal circuit applications in this strategic project. Transition-metal chalcogenides (TMC, such as MoS2) will be integrated in 2D layers using inkjet printing. Printed electronics enables fabrication of solution processed 2D devices having uniform structural and electrical characteristics. Computer simulation tools developed in the project by our researchers will predict the 2D-material TFTs behaviours accurately. These simulations will guide refinement of the fabrication and design of improved TFTs and circuit prototypes. Multi-layer 2D materials have a high potential to raise the performance of RF components (e.g., transmission lines and inductors) and circuits substantially compared to today's silicon chips. Passives exploiting the superior electrical properties of multi-layer graphene will be demonstrated in a prototype RF front-end filter and an RFID receiver. Programmable fabrics for memory and trimming of TFT circuits are incorporated in the RFID demonstrator to improve its robustness and add mixed-signal capabilities. This strategic project is vital for Canada to secure new innovations and establish leadership in wireless technologies and the emerging market for connectivity to the internet of things (IoT).