Researchers at Georgia Tech have achieved a major breakthrough by creating the world’s first functional semiconductor made from graphene. This development has significant implications for the electronics industry and quantum computing.
Graphene, a two-dimensional form of crystalline carbon, consists of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice. Unlike traditional semiconductors, where the atoms are held together by weaker ionic bonds, graphene has strong covalent bonds between carbon atoms.
For years, scientists believed that graphene could not function as a semiconductor because it lacked a “band gap,” a crucial electronic property that allows semiconductors to switch on and off. However, recent research has revealed that graphene does possess a band gap, which makes it a viable alternative to silicon for developing semiconductors.
Led by Professor Walter de Heer, the team at Georgia Tech explored carbon-based materials as potential semiconductors and began working on two-dimensional graphene in 2001. Through a decade of experiments, they successfully grew epitaxial graphene on silicon carbide wafers, chemically bonding the two materials and creating a functional semiconductor.
The graphene semiconductor offers several advantages over silicon. It is ten times more mobile, meaning electrons can move with minimal resistance, resulting in faster computing. Additionally, it is more efficient, generating less heat, and enabling higher speeds for electron travel.
Furthermore, epitaxial graphene possesses unique electrical properties that surpass other two-dimensional semiconductors, making it ideal for nanoelectronics. Its potential applications in quantum computing are particularly promising, as it could revolutionize the field by leveraging its exceptional properties.
This breakthrough mirrors the advancement from vacuum tubes to silicon in the semiconductor industry. Scientists envision a future where graphene semiconductors could have a transformative impact on electronics and quantum computing, delivering unprecedented processing power.
Just as the Wright brothers’ flight revolutionized the world, the development of a functional graphene semiconductor has the potential to change the landscape of technology as we know it. Further research and innovation in this area will undoubtedly drive new technologies and usher in a new era of computing.
The source of the article is from the blog zaman.co.at