Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Engineering
Engineering
Carbon Nanotube Vacuum Field Emission Transistor Design for Large-Scale Manufacturing
WiSys: T170007US02

Inventors: Charles Nelson, Harold Evensen

WiSys is currently seeking strategic partners in the next generation transistor industry that are interested in further optimizing the design for large-scale manufacturing, ultimately providing a path to market for its commercialization.
Overview
Most present-day electronics are made with solid-state transistors constructed of semiconducting materials, such as silicon. This solid-state technology largely replaced the prior use of vacuum tubes in electrical applications because of advantages in size, reliability, ruggedness, power consumption and cost. However certain specialized vacuum tubes are still used for applications where a high frequency needs to be generated at a high power. X-ray generators, microwave ovens, satellites and radio stations all use specialized tubes. The continued need for these applications and the advent of nanotechnology have led to advances in miniaturizing vacuum tubes to create vacuum field emission transistors (VFETs). However, the ability to manufacture VFETs on a large scale remains a significant obstacle to their widespread adoption.
The Invention
Inventors from the Department of Engineering Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville have created novel transistors by incorporating etched carbon nanotubes into a planar design that is compatible with existing fabrication techniques. In previous studies by others, aligned carbon nanotube transistors have been demonstrated to achieve saturation current that is 1.9 times higher than those that are silicon-based, at an equivalent charge density. In the optimal embodiment of this invention, carbon nanotubes are aligned and feature precise gaps that act as channels to allow the efficient transport of electrons without the need for a vacuum. The anticipated output of this approach will be nanoscale transistors that resist heat and radiation and operate at low voltage and high frequency. To address current challenges with large-scale VFET manufacturing, this technology offers three advantages – the carbon nanotubes can be prefabricated using methods that are already in place, the selective etching process for creating electron channels uses conventional integrated circuit techniques, and the planar design can integrate with existing wafer-based manufacturing methods.
Applications
  • Semiconductors and transistors;
  • Aerospace/satallites;
  • Miltary;
  • Medical sensing;
  • Diagnostics;
  • Telecommunications;
  • High frequency and high-power applications.
Key Benefits
  • Nanoscale technology allows transistors to be made smaller;
  • High switching speed transistor due to vacuum electron medium;
  • Less suscpetible to radiation than solid-state technology;
  • Heat resistant allowing operation at higher temperatures;
  • High frequency operation (terahertz);
  • Ease of fabrication - compatible with wafer-based techniques currently used for semiconductor electrocnis.
Stage of Development
An experimental VFET using this technology has been fabricated, and collection of electrical measurement data is in progress. Steps toward refining the fabrication process and creating a functional prototype are underway.
For current licensing status, please contact Jennifer Souter at [javascript protected email address] or (608) 316-4131

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