The document discusses using molecular structures instead of traditional semiconductor etching for computer chips. It notes that Moore's Law scaling is reaching physical limits with current etching techniques. Molecular structures offer advantages like smaller sizes of 6nm, less heat generation, and potential for self-assembly. Specific molecular approaches discussed include DNA origami and surface chemistry to precisely arrange molecules. Scanning probe microscopes could then characterize the assembled molecular structures at the nanoscale for use in electronic devices.

1. NANO Collaboration
Molecular Nano-electronics

2. Computer Architecture
• Computer chips are made of integrated
circuits (interconnected transistors)
• First transistor – Bell Labs 1947
• Computer speed and storage capacity
increases as more transistors are placed on a
single chip
• Through advances in technology the number
of transistors that fit on a chip has doubled
every two years since 1970– Moore’s Law

3. Moore’s Law

4. Limits of Current Technology
• Etching or cutting structures in
semiconductors may be reaching a size limit:
immersion lithography 45nm (too large)
• Semiconductor devices generate a lot of heat
– even large cooling systems that are used
today won’t be able to cool fast enough as the
transistors get still smaller (packed more
densely) and the heat/volume increases – the
devices will melt

5. New Approach
• Use molecules for electronic structures rather
than “etching” structures in semiconductors
• Advantages
1. Smaller structures (6nm as compared to
45nm)– faster speeds and greater storage
capacity
2. Much less power – less cooling is needed
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgqqP7y
PdUQ

6. Molecular Structures
• We would like:
1.Self assembly – structures “build themselves”
Taken by
Song Guo
In
Dr. Alex
Kandel’s Lab
On a Low
Temperature
UHV STM

7. Molecular Structures
• We would like:
2. Surface – specified location and geometry to
interface with the rest of the device
– DNA Tiling: DNA Origami Picture by
Nan Kim
in Dr
Marya
Libermans
lab
With an
AFM

9. Molecular Structures
• We would like:
2. Surface – specified location and geometry to
interface with the rest of the device
• Surface chemistry to assemble structures

11. Molecular Structures
• We would like:
2. Surface – specified location and geometry to
interface with the rest of the device
• Scanning probe microscopes to
see/measure features of the molecular
structure

13. Portable STM and Cool
Temperature UHV STM

14. Molecular Structures
• We would like:
1. Self assembly – structures “build themselves”
2. Surface – specified location and geometry to
interface with the rest of the device
• DNA Tiling: DNA Origami
• Surface chemistry to assemble structures
• Scanning probe microscopes to see/measure
features of the molecular structure

15. This summer I am working with Dr. Alex Kandel , the graduate students
In his lab– Rebecca Quardokus and Annette Raigoza., and a high school
Student.
We the studying the effects of alpha particle radiation on the surface of Gold
that has a self assembled monolayer of octothiol.
We hope to find out not only what happens to the surface, but how large an
area Is af effected and the preferred amount of time to get optimum results.
The ultimate goal is to be able to use the alpha particles to help map the chip
Or to use it to sharpen the tips of our STM so we can sharpen the tip without
Removing it from the machine.