Carbon nanotube interconnects for IC chips

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been investigated as candidate materials to replace or augment the existing copper-based technologies as interconnects for Integrated Circuit (IC) chips. Being ballistic conductors, CNTs are capable of carrying higher current densities of up to 10¹⁰A/cm² and high thermal conductivity. This thesis examines the technological aspect of carbon nanotubes - how these tubes can excel in place of copper in terms of their performance and integration into the current commercial IC chip process. A detailed literature review is covered, together with a performance analysis of the resistances between copper and CNT interconnects. Further, a business model is proposed on the possibility of introducing this technology into the mainstream IC industry.