Energy dissipation and transport in nanoscale devices

Abstract

Understanding energy dissipation and transport in nanoscale structures is of great importance for the design of energy-efficient circuits and energy-conversion systems. This is also a rich domain for fundamental discoveries at the intersection of electron, lattice (phonon), and optical (photon) interactions. This review presents recent progress in understanding and manipulation of energy dissipation and transport in nanoscale solid-state structures. First, the landscape of power usage from nanoscale transistors (~10 -8 W) to massive data centers (~10 9 W) is surveyed. Then, focus is given to energy dissipation in nanoscale circuits, silicon transistors, carbon nanostructures, and semiconductor nanowires. Concepts of steady-state and transient thermal transport are also reviewed in the context of nanoscale devices with sub-nanosecond switching times. Finally, recent directions regarding energy transport are reviewed, including electrical and thermal conductivity of nanostructures, thermal rectification, and the role of ubiquitous material interfaces.

Anisotropic failure of Fourier theory in time-domain thermoreflectance experiments

“…The breakdown of Fourier theory at small length scales has implications for nanoelectronics 8 and nanostructured thermoelectric devices 9 and has received a great deal of recent attention [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][10][11][12][13][14] . For example, deviations between Fourier theory predictions and experimental data have been reported to depend on (1) the width of the nickel heater lines in nanofabricated Ni/sapphire samples 7 , (2) the diameter of the heating pump laser beam, 2w 0 , in time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR) measurements of bulk Si between 30 and 100 K (ref.…”

Carbon nanotube network-silicon oxide non-volatile switches

“…As flash memory fast approaches its scaling and power limits 1,2 , other promising NVM technologies are being developed. Among these, resistive random access memory (RRAM) 3,4 has gained popularity in industry because it utilizes materials that are in common use in semiconductor processing.…”

Scattering theory of thermocurrent in quantum dots and molecules

“…The scattering matrix express outgoing wave ampli- 4 , a 5 , a 6 . To derive expressions for the matrix elements M ik we first consider a part of the whole system shown in the Fig.…”

“…Recent advances in heat measurements in nanoscale systems allow to study thermoelectric properties of molecular junctions and similar systems. These studies bring a deeper understanding of transport mechanisms [1][2][3][4] and additional information concerning electronic and vibrational excitation spectra of molecules [5,6]. Also, in the recent years a new field of molecular thermoelectronics have emerged [7].…”