ACM TechNews

Building Microchips From the Bottom Up

MIT News (08/14/08) Chandler, David

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers have used a novel system based on molecules that can assemble themselves into precise patterns to create a new way of surpassing size limitations in semiconductors. Self-assembling molecular systems called block copolymers have been known for many years, but the regular patterns they produced were only well-ordered for very small areas. The MIT researchers found a way to combine this self-assembly process with conventional lithographic chip-making technology so that the lithographic patterns provide a set of anchors to hold the structure in place. The self-assembling molecules fill in the fine detail between the anchors. MIT professor Edwin L. Thomas says that properly choosing the spatial distribution of the anchors to a desired final structure makes it possible to consistently generate defect-free polymer nanostructures. The molecules themselves are made from a pair of polymer chains that are bonded together. The chains are chemically different and do not mix, which means that when they are spread on a surface they naturally separate and form an orderly array. Changing the spacing of the anchors can control the size and spacing of the overall pattern. The most immediate application for the new technique will improve the storage capacity of magnetic storage systems such as hard disk drives in computers. In the future, entire computer chips could be made using this new technique.

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/self-assembly-0814.html

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