MicroNanoSystems News
Tiny diamond transistors
AT just 50 nms in length the ‘gate’ of technologies, from silicon based chips
the diamond transistor developed by in your computer processor, to GaAs
Dr David Moran, of the Department of based circuits in your mobile phone.
Electronics & Electrical Engineering, is “These types of materials, silicon
more than 1000 times smaller than the and GaAs, are chosen upon what their
thickness of a human hair, and is half strengths and weaknesses are.
the size of the previous smallest Diamond on the other hand is very
diamond transistor developed by much an excellent all-round performer,
Japanese firm NTT. and has been described by many as a
Diamond is heralded as being an perfect material. “By developing a
ideal material for the next generation diamond transistor technology, we aim
of nanoscale electronic devices due to to tap into the amazing properties of
its unique properties and could help this exciting material which could prove Because it is non-ionising, it does
Issue III 2009
scientists develop nascent technologies fundamental to the development of not damage cells and has potential
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such as Terahertz Imaging and several next generation technologies.” applications in security scanners to
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Automotive Collision Detection. Such technologies include detect concealed weapons through
The ‘gate’ of a transistor is used to Terahertz Imaging and Automotive clothes as well as medical imaging.
control the flow of current between Collision Detection. Terahertz imaging Automotive collision detection or
two electrical contact points, acting as uses terahertz radiation (T-rays), automotive radar is an advanced safety
a switch or an amplifier. The smaller the electromagnetic waves of a frequency feature currently being heavily
gate, the faster the transistor works. range between that of microwaves and researched by the car industry with
Dr Moran said: “From its invention infrared which can penetrate a range of which a car or other automotive vehicle
oasiasemiconductor
in 1947, the transistor has been the materials, including clothes and flesh – will have an effective radar zone around
.eur
building block of many modern day to create a picture. it that will allow it to detect potential
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collisions from any side of the vehicle
well in advance and take avoiding
11
Deep brain exploration
action.
Dr Moran added: “These
applications require a very fast and
IMEC has presented a new design semiconductor process technology, ideally high-power transistor
strategy for brain implants, which it appropriate design tools, and advanced technology that needs to be able to
used to create a prototype multi- electronic signal processing. ” operate in adverse weather and
electrode stimulation & recording IMEC’s strategy allows developing temperature conditions. This is where a
probe for deep-brain stimulation. With brain implants consisting of multiple diamond transistor technology would
this development, IMEC highlights the electrodes enabling simultaneous excel”.
opportunities in the healthcare market stimulation and recording. This was The diamond itself is artificially
for design tool developers. Brain used to create probes with 10 made by UK firm Element 6 through a
implants for electrical stimulation of micrometer electrodes and electrode process called chemical vapour
specific brain areas are used as a last- topologies. The design strategy relies deposition. The creation of the tiny
resort therapy for brain disorders such on finite-element modeling of the device is part of a five-year project
as Parkinson’s disease, tremor, or electrical field distribution around the funded by the Engineering & Physical
obsessive-compulsive disorder. Today’s brain probe. This was done with the Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and
deep-brain stimulation probes use multi-physics simulation software is the result of a collaborative project
millimetre-size electrodes. COMSOL 3.4 and 3.5. The COMSOL between the University of Glasgow and
Wolfgang Eberle, Senior Scientist tools enabled investigating the Heriot Watt University. Its construction
and project manager at IMEC’s mechanical properties of the probe was only possible through the multi-
bioelectronics research group: “To during surgical insertion and million pound facilities within the James
have a more precise the effects of Watt Nanofabrication Centre at the
stimulation and temperature. The results University of Glasgow where electron
recording, we indicate that adapting beam lithography was employed to
need the penetration depth create patterns and structures on the
electrodes that and field asymmetry miniscule sliver of diamond.
are as small as allow steering The University of Glasgow has one
individual brain cells the electrical of the most advanced large area high-
(neurons). Such small field around the resolution electron beam lithography
electrodes can be made with probe. tools in the world.
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