Nanowire Transistors: A Next Step for the Low-Power Digital Technology

Abstract

As conventional Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) reaches extreme limitation to implement the digital circuits with high density and low power dissipation, alternate devices are necessary. To keep Moore’s Law alive and to implement the processors with tiny devices, the researchers are trying to produce nano-devices, alternatives to conventional devices. Nanowire is a most prominent device to replace the CMOS at nano-scale for the low-power digital technology among the emerging Nanodevices. Transistors designed with Nanowire structures achieve a tradeoff between the power and density to implement the digital circuits. This paper is focused on reviewing the details of the synthesis of nanowire, few dominant applications of the nanowire, and nanowire mechanics. Initially, the growth pattern and controlling the Nanowire dimensions are discussed under the synthesis of nanowire. This is followed by a brief overview of nano-photonics which plays a key role in optical communications. Further, the mechanical properties, applications of nanowire, and the gate structures are highlighted.