International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) scientists may have made a breakthrough on a dilemma that has engulfed the semiconductor industry for some time. Chipmakers are struggling a great deal to make transistors any smaller. The problem has been exacerbated by the fact that trying to shrink down the circuitry needed by transistors leads to an increase in electrical resistance.
IBM Carbon Nanotube Breakthrough
Electrical resistance is a big concern as with its increase, temperatures in chips increases considerably affecting efficiency. International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) scientists now believe carbon nanotubes could provide the ultimate answer to the standoff. The scientists have described a new way of making transistors using carbon nanotubes as opposed to using silicon.
The new process involves aligning carbon nanotubes in parallel spaced rows, which are then deposited on silicon wafers. Once that is done tiny metal contacts made from molybdenum are then welded at the ends, to present a fully functional carbon nanotube transistor.
Combining carbon nanotubes with metal contacts made of molybdenum has been found to reduce resistance at the connections. International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) says the new method when put to use should lead to smaller, faster and more powerful computer chips.
Carbon Nanotube Vs Silicon
IBM Says that the breakthrough could allow for the building of transistors that are as small as 5 nanometers. That is in contrast to the 14nm transistors that Intel produces. The chip company has already warned that it would be hard to produce transistors that are less than 10nm in size while using silicon. Big Blue on its part maintains that by using a mix of silicon and germanium, chip makers could cut the size of transistors to 7 nanometers.
Carbon nanotubes remain ideal for use in computer chips as they conduct electricity faster while using less power compared to silicon made chips. Measuring one nanometer thick, carbon nanotubes transistors are much thinner thus less prone to unwanted electrostatic charges.
The new technology according to International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) could extend the life of Moore’s law. In 1960, Gordon Moore’s stated that the numbers of transistors on a computer chip will double every two years. With silicon reaching its limits in terms of capabilities, carbon nanotubes could provide the solution to maintaining the trend.