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About Topic In Short: |
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Who: Georgia Institute of Technology, Authors:
Walter de Heer and his collaborators. |
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What: Development of a new nanoelectronics
platform based on graphene, a single sheet of carbon atoms. |
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How: A modified form of epigraphene (graphene
layer) was created on a silicon carbide crystal substrate. Electronics-grade
silicon carbide chips were produced, and graphene nanostructures were grown
on them. Electron beam lithography was used to carve the graphene
nanostructures and weld their edges to the chips. |
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In the
ever-changing realm of nanoelectronics, the pursuit of a silicon substitute has
been ongoing. For decades, graphene has held immense promise due to its
exceptional properties. However, challenges in processing techniques and the
lack of an appropriate electronics paradigm hindered its full potential. An
exceptional breakthrough occurred at the prestigious Georgia Institute of
Technology, led by the esteemed Professor Walter de Heer and his team. They
have successfully pioneered a groundbreaking nanoelectronics platform, centered
on graphene—a single sheet of carbon atoms—capable of surpassing silicon and ushering
in a new era of computing advancements.
Creation of
Extraordinary Nano Chips:
The core of this
research lies in the formation of exceptional nano chips, crafted using silicon
carbide chips. Collaborating with the Tianjin International Center for Nanoparticles
and Nanosystems, the team fabricated electronics-grade silicon carbide
crystals. On these silicon carbide substrates, they cultivated a modified
version of epigraphene—a graphene layer. The patented furnaces utilized in de
Heer's laboratory at Georgia Tech facilitated the growth of specialized silicon
carbide chips coated with graphene nanostructures.
Employing
electron beam lithography—a prevalent microelectronic technique—the researchers
meticulously carved the graphene nanostructures and fused their edges to the
silicon carbide chips. This meticulous process mechanically stabilizes and
seals the graphene's edges, preventing any undesirable interactions with gases
such as oxygen, which could potentially impede charge motion. The outcome was
an immaculate fusion of graphene nanostructures with silicon carbide chips,
forming the bedrock of the innovative nanoelectronics platform.
Revolutionary
Properties of Graphene:
Published in
Nature Communications, the research unveiled unparalleled properties of
graphene, making it the perfect contender for nanoelectronics. With its flat,
two-dimensional structure, held together by the mightiest chemical bonds known,
graphene allows for extraordinary miniaturization—a feat unattainable by
silicon. This breakthrough permits the development of smaller, faster, and more
energy-efficient devices, significantly reducing heat generation. In essence, a
solitary graphene chip could potentially house a multitude of devices compared
to its silicon counterpart.
A remarkable
discovery surfaced during the team's research—electric charges in the graphene
edge state could travel vast distances, tens of thousands of nanometers along
the edge before scattering. This impressive advancement surpassed the
limitations of previous technologies, where graphene electrons could only
travel about 10 nanometers before encountering imperfections and dispersing in
different directions. Additionally, an unforeseen revelation emerged—the
presence of a highly unusual quasiparticle that carries electric currents
effortlessly, without any charge or energy, moving with no resistance. This
groundbreaking discovery holds immense implications for quantum and
high-performance computing, pointing to the possible existence of the elusive
Majorana fermion, theorized by the renowned Italian physicist Ettore Majorana
in 1937.
Insights from
the Experts:
Professor Walter
de Heer passionately stressed the significance of graphene's unique properties,
enabling electronics that exploit the light-like attributes of graphene
electrons—a pivotal factor propelling unparalleled advancements in computing
technology. Furthermore, the seamless compatibility of the graphene-based
nanoelectronics platform with conventional microelectronics manufacturing is a
critical factor in its potential success as silicon's worthy successor.
Conclusion:
The development of a graphene-based Nano electronics platform signifies a significant leap towards surmounting silicon's limitations in computing. By ingeniously integrating silicon carbide chips with graphene nanostructures, researchers have taken a decisive step towards creating extraordinary nano chips, with the potential to revolutionize computing technology. The discovery of the enigmatic quasiparticle and the remarkable ability of electric charges to traverse vast distances along graphene edges present a bright future for quantum computing and high-performance applications. While practical graphene-based electronics may still take five to ten years to materialize, the team's tireless efforts have brought us closer than ever to envisioning graphene as the undisputed heir to silicon.
Image
Gallery
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 The researchers' graphene device grown on a silicon carbide substrate chip. Credit: Jess Hunt-Ralston / Georgia Institute of Technology |
 Patented induction furnaces at Georgia Tech used to produce graphene on silicon carbide. Credit: Jess Hunt-Ralston / Georgia Institute of Technology |
 Art depicting the graphene network (black atoms) on top of silicon carbide (yellow and white atoms). The gold pads represent electrostatic gates, and the blue and red balls represent electrons and holes, respectively. Credit: Noel Dudeck / Georgia Institute of Technology |
 Walter de Heer and Claire Berger holding an atomic model of graphene (black atoms) on crystalline silicon carbide (yellow atoms) in the Epitaxial Graphene Lab at Georgia Tech. Credit: Jess Hunt-Ralston / Georgia Institute of Technology |
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All Images Credit: from References/Resources
sites [Internet] |
Hashtags/Keywords/Labels:
#Graphene #Nanoelectronics #SiliconCarbide
#QuantumComputing #HighPerformanceComputing #EpitaxialGraphene
References/Resources:
1.
https://www.pressreader.com/india/electronics-for-you-express/20230203/282793540556328
2.
https://www.electronicsforu.com/news/whats-new/graphene-to-be-the-future-of-electronics
3.
https://phys.org/news/2022-12-team-graphene-based-nanoelectronics-platform.html
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