Nanoelectronic Circuits
Árpád I. Csurgay, Wolfgang Porod · International Journal of Circuit Theory and Applications · 2010
Nanotechnologies have invaded research laboratories and foundries. Fabrication and characterization tools have emerged with feature sizes 10 nm, even approaching the ultimate molecular scale, and thus exotic quantum phenomena hold dominant sway. Meanwhile, semi-classical device physics has invaded the upper nano scale, and successful nano-transistors, tunneling and resonant tunneling devices have been realized well below 100 nm feature size, down to 15 nm. Metal-wired nanoscale transistor circuits (nano CMOS) have been designed with traditional computer-aided design techniques. However, the lower nanoscale region is still open for engineering exploration. We are witnessing that in the lower nanoscale region non-trivial quantum-electrodynamics (QED) is becoming relevant in life sciences. Photosynthesis, process of vision, sense of smell, van der Waals forces, the Casimir effect, magnetic orientation of migrant birds, etc. can be studied experimentally with the help of nanotechnologies, but can't be understood without QED. The relevance of single molecules, atoms and electrons, single photons and single spins triggering macroscopic phenomena is becoming important in the best interpretation of recent experimental and theoretical findings. Electromagnetic field-coupled (Coulomb-coupled, magnetic-coupled and photon-coupled) nano-particles and molecules are envisioned as potential electronic and photonic components of future nanoelectronic and nanophotonic circuits. Circuit theory has always been studying systems based on a physical view. It has always been bridging physics with system design. The spectacular evolution of microelectronic-integrated circuits and recently some nanoscale circuits have demonstrated the power of the ‘circuit paradigm’. With this special issue we would like to invite physicists, circuit theorists and circuit designers to a dialogue about the development of nanoelectronic devices and integrated circuits, i.e. circuits with and without wires, and devices and circuits in which quantum phenomena have dominant sway. Molecular electronics Molecular photonics Quantum phenomena in electronics and photonics Quantum physics meets biology Nanoscale metamaterials Theoretical foundation Application case studies