Micro- and Nano Electronics
Participating chairs and fields of research:
- Chair for Semiconductor Technology, Prof. Knoch
- Chair for Integrated Photonics, Prof. Witzens
- Chair for Electronic Materials I, Prof. Mokwa
- Chair for Electronic Materials II, Prof. Waser
- Chair for Electromagnetic Theory, Prof. Jungemann
- GaN-Device Technology, Prof. Vescan
- Chair for Integrated Analogue Circuits, Prof. Heinen
- Chair for Electrical Engineering and Computer Systems , Prof. Noll
- Chair for Photovoltaics (Prof. Rau, FZ Jülich)
The "Advanced Mircroelectronic Center Aachen (AMICA)" is affiliated to these activities. There are close connections in the field of materials research, amongst others to the Physics Department of RWTH Aachen and to the "Research Center Jülich".
This field covers the entire range from the design to the fabrication of devices. Thereby the feature sizes range from millimetre for high power devices, sensors and actuators down to the deep sub-2m scale for integrated circuit devices or even into the nanometre regime for future nano-electronic devices. For more information please see below.
Micro- and Nanoelectronics
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Special interest is on concepts and design methodologies for dedicated high performance VLSI-CMOS circuits. Optimization is performed on all layers of VLSI-design top from the algorithmic system level down to the physical implementation level. Typical applications are in the areas of digital communications, multimedia, medicine electronics, etc.
Very dedicated laboratory equipment is available to cover the full range of currently known preparation technologies and characterization techniques. For example, high resolution lithography, various deposition and etching techniques and self organized nano-structuring is in use. Besides electrical characterization techniques very high time and frequency resolution is enabled by femtosecond laser techniques. A major interest is on the integration of optoelectronics into the classical silicon technology, on dedicated oxides, polymers, magnetic thin films, phase change compounds etc., for application in information technology such as TBit data storage and “green computing” by novel field-programmable or neuromorphic architectures.
Another focus is on circuits operating at very high frequencies up to 100 GHz. The research activities comprise the complete chain from the development of the modelling tools, over the development of the design techniques to the manufacturing of prototypes. Within this context dedicated activities are on III-V compound based materials and devices (example: GaN) which allow for innovative applications in high speed communications, radar and sensor systems as well as in novel converter and inverter modules.
Organic semiconductors for electronics and optoelectronics encompass a new research field where materials and devices are investigated for future lighting, display and other low cost electronic applications.
A major research area is the design, production and characterization of novel electronic materials (dedicated oxides, polymers, etc.) for micro- and nanoelectronic devices such as non-volatile memories, sensors and actuators. Application is in information technology, medical technology and in ‚mechatronics‘.
A major focus in integrated photonics is the realization of multi-wavelength coherent detection optical communication links with single chip or single package solutions. Device led solutions for optical fibre to Silicon photonics waveguide assembly is also under investigation. Another current development project deals with low voltage high-speed Silicon photonics modulators.
The high number of cooperations and third party funding projects underpin the up-front position of the RWTH Aachen University in this field of competence.