In a groundbreaking development, scientists have achieved the creation of a functional and scalable semiconductor using graphene for the first time. Led by Walter de Heer, Regents' Professor of physics at Georgia Tech, a team of researchers in Atlanta, Georgia, and Tianjin, China, has successfully overcome challenges in developing a graphene semiconductor, paving the way for a potential revolution in computing technology.
The significance of this achievement lies in the potential for a new era in computing, introducing a novel type of computer with heightened speed and efficiency compared to current silicon chip technology. Semiconductor chips, often referred to as the 'new oil' of the technology age, play a pivotal role in the global economy, powering everything from data centers to smartphones.
The breakthrough involved creating a graphene semiconductor that is compatible with conventional microelectronics processing methods, a crucial factor for any viable alternative to silicon, as outlined in an official statement by the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Graphene, a material composed of a single layer of carbon atoms, exhibits exceptional strength, surpassing that of steel at comparable thicknesses. It is an outstanding electrical conductor and demonstrates high resistance to heat and acids. Despite these advantageous properties, scientists faced challenges in developing a working graphene semiconductor that could be controlled to conduct or insulate electricity at will—a key requirement for creating logic chips powering computers.
The primary obstacle was the absence of a bandgap, a critical feature in semiconductors that allows for the controlled flow of electrons. Previous research had shown promise on a small scale, but upscaling to practical computer chip sizes proved challenging.
The recent breakthrough by Walter de Heer and his team involved using silicon carbide wafers heated to evaporate the silicon before the carbon, successfully creating graphene with a bandgap. They demonstrated a functional transistor, a fundamental component that acts as an on/off switch for the flow of current. The process shares similarities with techniques used in creating silicon chips, making it more feasible to scale up.
David Carey at the University of Surrey highlighted the importance of using wafers, stating that it is truly scalable and utilizes technology familiar to the semiconductor industry for scaling up the process.
This discovery is particularly significant as it comes at a time when silicon is reaching its limits in the face of the demand for faster computing and smaller electronic devices. The successful creation of a scalable graphene semiconductor opens new possibilities for the future of computing technology.
Source: WION. “Scientists develop world’s first graphene semiconductor in revolutionary computing breakthrough”.https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-develop-worlds-first-graphene-semiconductor-in-revolutionary-computing-breakthrough-677184; 06/01/2024. [Date of access: 04/02/2024]
Edited by: Aditya Vinjimoor
Comments