In a paper published in the March 27 issue of Nature, scientists from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia report that they have successfully integrated two-dimensional materials into silicon microchips and achieved excellent integration density, electronic properties and yield. The results will help semiconductor companies reduce manufacturing costs and artificial intelligence companies reduce data processing time and energy consumption.
Two-dimensional materials have the potential to revolutionize the semiconductor industry, but while scientists have developed a number of similar devices, the level of technology preparation is low because most of the technology uses synthesis and processing methods incompatible with the current semiconductor industry to create large devices on non-functional substrates with poor yield. IBM, for example, has tried to integrate graphene into transistors for radio frequency applications, but these devices cannot store or process information.
The latest research has integrated a two-dimensional insulating material called multilayer hexagonal boron nitride (about 6 nanometers thick) into a microchip containing silicon transistors made from complementary metal-oxide semiconductor technology, achieving excellent integrated density, electronic properties and yield. The researchers say the device is only 260 nanometers wide and could be used for advanced data storage and computing. Most future microchips will take advantage of the excellent electronic and thermal properties of these two-dimensional materials.
Newly manufactured microchips show high durability and special electronic properties, making it possible to produce artificial neural networks with very low power consumption. Artificial neural networks are a key component of artificial intelligence systems, but most existing devices are not suitable for implementing this type of neural network, and the latest research opens up a new approach. In addition, the latest research promises to help microchip makers and artificial intelligence companies develop new hardware to reduce data processing time and reduce energy consumption.
The researchers stress that the latest research is significant for the field of nanoelectronics and semiconductors, as the devices and circuits produced have excellent performance and far-reaching potential for industrial applications.
