Pressure from nanoelectronics

The future of nanoelectronics looks promising. Built with nanotubes and various self-assembling molecular structures, this technology may revolutionise the elctronic world by replacing the silicon transistor in approximately ten years.

Chemically synthesized nano building blocks are expected to replace semiconductor logic and memory devices and target niche applications over the next decade.

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is currently favoured by chipmakers, and some companies are expected to use EUV to replace 157 nm scanners in the second half of the decade. Japanese electronic companies have joined forces to develop low-energy electron-beam proximity projection lithography.

Currently, chipmakers are working to make the 157 nm lithograpy technology operation by 2003. In doing so, they have come up aginst many obstacles such as the availability of calcium fluoride for lens manufacturing and contaminiation of optical elements.

Researchers are working to address these difficulties. Recently, supporters of various forms of next-generation lithograpy reported progress on 157 nm optical, projection e-beam lithograpy and EUV lithography. Although expensive, EUV scanners will work at the 13.5 nm wavelength and take manufacturers over several process generations.

Although chip technology plays a crucial role in the semiconductor industry, researchers believe that it is only a matter of time before the switch from lithographed silicon chips to self-assembled nano electronics takes place.

In anticipation of the eventual change, researchers at various universities are experimenting with different technologies. At Delft University in the Netherlands, for example, researchers have built basic logic circuits with carbon nanotubes, while at Harvard University a group of researchers used indium phosphide nanowires to build the same types of devices.

Molecular self-assembly is not without its share of problems. Despite challenges, it seems clear that nanotechnolgy will have an impact on the future development of many sectors, particularly that of electronics, which demands technologies that enable faster processing of data at lower costs.