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Molecular Transistor: Quantum Interference Effect Transistor (QuIET)

IP Title

Quantum Interference Effect Transistor (QuIET)

Detailed Technology Description

Background: Everyday, the need to miniaturize electronics grows even greater.  Most experts expect Moore's Law of Integrated Circuits to hold for at least another two decades, but scientists at the University of Arizona may have broken Moore's Law today by inventing a totally new type of molecular transistor that mimics the behavior of macro-scale transistors at length scales of less than or equal to 1nm.  This invention could help the world miniaturize electronics by giving academia and industry the ability to reliably produce an unlimited number of identical Quantum Interference Effect Transistors (QuIETs) that mimic the I-V characteristics of macro-scale bipolar junction and field effect transistors over a large range of base voltages.Applications:* Macro-scale, bipolar junction and field effect transistors can be mimicked at 1nm or less.* Nano-scale computing in biological, medical, military, and industrial applications.* Potential for in-vivo operation.Advantages:* Breaks Moore's Law: allows for millions of transistors on a single cell.* Scalable: chemical fabrication could produce an unlimited number of identical QuIETs.* No moving parts and no additional power drain.* Could work in aqueous environments, such as those inside living organisms.The Technology: By taking advantage of quantum interference, the QuIET device modulates the flow of current through a hydrocarbon ring by switching quantum interference “on” and “off”.  Decoherence would act as the “knob” that controls the flow of current through the QuIET device.  The QuIET consists of two electrodes attached to an organic ring molecule, such as benzene, for example in the meta-positions.  In this configuration, quantum interference completely suppresses current flow through the molecule and the transistor is effectively “off”. The device is switched “on” when the decoherence caused by a third electrode causes the quantum interference to disappear.Stage of Development: Experimentalists are actively creating prototype devices.Lead Inventors: Prof. Charles A. Stafford, Prof. Sumitendra Mazumdar, and Prof. David M. CardamoneStatus: US Patent Application 2007/0215861 A1 “Quantum Interference Effect Transistor (QuIET)” published on September 20, 2007; seeking commercial partners to license.Refer to Case No. UA05-070

Application Date

Mar 20, 2007

Application No.

7,786,472

*Abstract

None

*IP Issue Date

Aug 31, 2010

*Principal Investigator

Name: Charles Stafford, Associate Professor

Department: 26 Physics

Name: Sumitendra Mazumdar, Professor

Department: Physics

Name: David Cardamone

Department: Chemistry

Country/Region

USA