Applications
Wireless Communications
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The Problem
The number of radiofrequency (RF) communication devices (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 5G, etc.) is increasing dramatically year-over-year. Available RF spectrum is limited and bandwidth congestion reduces data rates. Clever approaches in device design and operation make better use of available spectrum, but these techniques do not allow access additional RF spectrum. Adding RF spectrum and bandwidth with new protocols (e.g. 6G) requires semiconducting channel materials operating at frequencies much higher than today’s devices do, with low noise factors and a high degree of response linearity. These requirements demand innovations in semiconductor channel materials.
Our Solution
Semiconducting carbon nanotube devices have already demonstrated operating frequencies higher than equivalent silicon-based devices are capable of, and the theoretical limit of carbon nanotube operating frequency is much higher. Additionally, the intrinsic properties of carbon nanotubes hold the promise of exceptionally low noise factors, high data quality, and low power consumption - even at high frequency operation. Devices fabricated with semiconducting carbon nanotube channels will play a prominent role in meeting future, aggressive market demands for next-generation RF communication devices in RF switches, low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), and other critical components. SixLine anticipates that RF devices will be the first to adopt semiconducting carbon nanotube channels.
Logic and Computing
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The Problem
In pursuit of higher performances and lower computational power consumption, the critical dimensions (cd’s) of logic transistor channels have shrunk to a handful of nanometers. At these cd's, quantum effects reduce the performance gains which can be achieved with further scaling. In addition, today's devices are made by lithographically patterning device channel cd. As patterned cd is reduced, cd variation increases. Device specifications must accommodate variation and as a result, cd patterning is an additional extrinsic barrier to scaling. Finally, the high temperatures used to grow bulk semiconductors prevent logic devices from scaling vertically. Despite these challenges, demand for performance and efficiency improvements persist and are driven by the explosive growth in computationally heavy markets such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, IOT, and data analytics.
Our Solution
SixLine addresses these barriers through the direct integration of semiconducting carbon nanotubes with conventional fab materials and production environments, using proven, room temperature deposition processes.
At nanometer scale channel cd’s, the charge carrier mobilities of carbon nanotubes are among the highest of any known material and outperform silicon, germanium, bulk semiconductors, and 2D materials. Semiconducting carbon nanotube devices will yield significantly higher performance and lower power draw than state-of-the-art materials.
In addition, the channel cd of a carbon nanotube (its diameter) is defined during synthesis, not through patterning. SixLine methods enable control over the diameter of semiconductor carbon nanotubes and will remove channel cd as a significant source of device variability.
Finally, SixLine is commercializing methods to deposit semiconducting carbon nanotubes onto arbitrary substrates with high throughput and -critically - at room temperature. These techniques integrate seamlessly with silicon and will enable fabrication of logic devices with an arbitrary number of high performance transistor layers, breaking historical constraints on Moore's law scaling.
Sensors
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The Problem
Chemical sensors are used in a wide range of applications, from environmental monitoring and process control, to medical diagnostics, food system quality control, and agricultural monitoring. Despite this broad market pull, the full economic potential of chemical sensors has not been met. Broad deployment is limited by the selectivity and sensitivity of existing sensor platforms, the stability of sensor systems, sensor size and power demands, and ultimately sensor system cost.
Our Solution
Sensors built from semiconducting carbon nanotubes have demonstrated the ability to detect a single molecule. Deploying such sensors in high-performance, solid state device architectures has the potential to deliver sensor systems with unprecedented sensitivity and real-time feedback.
Additionally, the chemistry of semiconducting carbon nanotubes integrates with organic chemistry, opening a wide library of potential chemical analytes. A sensor platform built on semiconducting carbon nanotube channels could serve diverse markets, from cancer screening to explosives detection, agricultural disease and pest detection to glucose monitoring.
SixLine's approach will introduce these materials and methods to fabrication facilities capable of solid state device miniaturization and on-chip logic - further reducing device size and power demands. On-chip integration with SixLine's production-friendly methods will fundamentally alter chemical sensor cost structures and democratize their deployment.