A Role For Graphene in Silicon-Based Semiconductor Devices

Authors / Journal

Kinam Kim, Jae-Young Choi, Taek Kim, Seong-Ho Cho & Hyun-Jong Chung

Nature / 2011/ vol.479, iss7373, p338

Abstract

As silicon-based electronics approach the limit of improvements to performance and capacity through dimensional scaling, attention in the semiconductor field has turned to graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice. Its high mobility of charge carriers (electrons and holes) could lead to its use in the next generation of high-performance devices. Graphene is unlikely to replace silicon completely, however, because of the poor on/off current ratio resulting from its zero bandgap. But it could be used to improve silicon-based devices, in particular in high-speed electronics and optical modulators.

A positive result

As interest in graphene continues to increase, we are optimistic that these technical issues will be resolved. The first application for graphene will probably be the radio-frequency switch, which has already shown a potential for improved performance, followed by optical modulators and photo-detectors. The next breakthrough, when the bandgap energy can be increased and controlled, is likely to expand the versatility of hybrid silicon-CMOS applications, making it a vital part of silicon CMOS evolution.