Chinese Scientists Develop Artificial Sapphire Wafers to Enhance Chip Efficiency
A team of Chinese scientists has achieved a significant breakthrough in chip technology by developing dielectric wafers made of artificial sapphire. Their groundbreaking research, published in Nature on Wednesday, lays a crucial foundation for the development of more power-efficient chips.
As electronic devices continue to shrink while demanding higher performance, the miniaturization of transistors has presented substantial challenges, particularly in the realm of dielectric materials. These materials typically act as insulators in chips, but their effectiveness diminishes at the nanoscale. This reduction in efficiency is one of the reasons why smartphones tend to heat up and have shorter battery lives.
To address this issue, researchers at the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have created artificial sapphire dielectric wafers using a novel intercalation oxidation process. “The aluminum oxide we created is essentially artificial sapphire, identical to natural sapphire in terms of crystal structure, dielectric properties, and insulation characteristics,” said Tian Zi’ao, a researcher involved in the project.
This advancement holds promise for the future of electronic devices, potentially leading to chips that are not only more efficient but also generate less heat. Such developments could significantly improve the performance and longevity of next-generation smartphones and other electronic devices.
Reference(s):
Chip tech: China builds 'sapphire wafers' to improve efficiency
cgtn.com
