Quantum transistors: toward nanoelectronics
Article Abstract:
Quantum transistors promise to improve computing by tapping phenomena only observed at the subatomic level.. Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have built a double-electron-layer tunneling (DELTT) transistor; single-electron, or quantum-dot, transistors are under development worldwide. Quantum cellular automata rely on groups of four quantum dots arranged in a square; an extra electron resides on each dot to set the bit value. Tunneling lets, particles plunge through barriers impenetrable in classical systems. .A DELTT positions an insulating barrier between two 2D wells through which electrons pass. Its operation is somewhat analogous to the switching of a conventional transistor, but differential resistance can be negative instead of positive. Single-electron transistors are built around nano-scale islands of conducting material. Applying a gate voltage polarizes the quantum dot; no current flows until the Coulomb-blockade threshold voltage is reached. Some researchers use quantum dots to perform logic operations instead of assembling transistors.
Publication Name: IEEE Spectrum
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0018-9235
Year: 2000
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Electrical fuse lets chips heal themselves
Article Abstract:
IBM has developed an on-chip fuse built-in-self-test that is electrically blown or programmed, which can be combine with new eFuse technology and -repair circuitry to yield a chip capable of diagnosing its failure and then fixing them by blowing fuses to reroute its circuit. This built-in-self-test circuitry determines, which parts of the chip do not work and sends the information to the self-repair circuitry that figures out what fuses to open to replace the failing circuits with spare, redundant ones.
Publication Name: IEEE Spectrum
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0018-9235
Year: 2004
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A quantum leap for photonics: highly integrated optical circuits could transform networks
Article Abstract:
A new technology from Infinera Corp., a start-up in Sunnyvale, California can convert and reconvert optical data to electrical by using just two photonic ICs instead of a combination of 50 optical components thus, minimizing the connections, which result in preservance of signal strength. The company does not sell these ICs individually but sells a complete system that contain the chips and CMOS. This technology can transform the way communication networks transfer and manipulate data.
Publication Name: IEEE Spectrum
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0018-9235
Year: 2004
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