9/4/2016

With Processor Speeds Stagnating, Researchers Look Beyond Silicon Toward Computing's Future | Popular Science

With Processor Speeds

Stagnating, Researchers Look
Beyond Silicon Toward
Computing's Future
Should silicon stay or go?
By JEREMY HSU

MARCH 27, 2010

After a breathless race through the '80s and '90s, desktop computer
clock speeds have spent the last decade languishing around the 3
gigahertz mark. That stagnation in processing speeds has prompted
scientists to debate whether it's time to move beyond semiconductors -and what better place to debate than in the journal Science? Ars Technica
gives a top-down overview of several future paths laid out in the
journal's latest issue by researchers such as Thomas Theis and Paul
Solomon of IBM.
The main issue comes from voltages being forced to scale down as evertinier transistors are developed. That can lead to heat and power use
problems, as well as slower switching and clock speeds. Chips have
typically compensated by favoring size and power over speed, but
scientists suggest several possible new approaches.
Some argue that clock speed is overrated, and that most interesting
future innovations will come from smaller, exible electronics built into
smartphones, medical implants or even Star Trek-style clothing. Silicon
ribbons can already do this to some extent, as long as people can live
with their lesser power compared to a typical multi-layer silicon
microchip. Extremely simple and small chips could also do the trick
without requiring serious reengineering.
The IBM researchers tout the idea of nding a new transistor switch that
can amplify small voltage changes. One promising approach which could
achieve that goal is "interband tunnel FET," which allows small voltage
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-03/researchers-look-beyond-silicon-toward-computings-future

1/2

9/4/2016

With Processor Speeds Stagnating, Researchers Look Beyond Silicon Toward Computing's Future | Popular Science

changes to maintain the necessary on-and-off states. But it only works

with carbon nanotubes as opposed to silicon. Another approach would
add a device that gives even small voltages an all-or-nothing impact -something that should allow for switching in less than a picosecond (one
trillionth of a second), but in reality takes 70 to 90 picoseconds.
The last two ideas would move away from the old reliable silicon for
semiconductors, and instead look toward transition metal oxide that
combine oxygen with materials such as titanium and the rare earth
element lanthanum. But there are so many transition metals and oxide
combinations that researchers need a better way to predict the effect of
any combos, lest they engage on a wild goose chase. We've also looked
previously at studies aimed at using carbon-based graphene as a silicon
replacement.
Material challenges aside, there's reason for optimism. Silicon Valley
hasn't done too badly historically when it comes to cultivating a culture
for innovation, and even the Pentagon's DARPA has singled out the
semiconductor industry as a model for others.
[via Ars Technica]

Copyright 2016 Popular Science. A Bonnier Corporation Company. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-03/researchers-look-beyond-silicon-toward-computings-future

2/2