01
Logic
Semiconductor
| Group Leader: | Norio Tokuda, Ph.D. Professor / Director, ARCDia |
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Developing next-generation core devices for high-speed, energy-efficient computing
Breaking the Limits of Silicon: The Diamond Revolution Current Silicon (Si) devices are rapidly approaching their physical material limits. While SiC and GaN have emerged as next-generation alternatives for power applications, their low hole mobility makes them unsuitable for CMOS configurations, which are essential for high-speed logic devices.
Diamond stands as the sole candidate capable of surpassing Silicon in logic performance. It boasts both high electron and hole mobility, alongside a superior breakdown electric field. In 2016, our center achieved a world-first: the successful demonstration of an inversion-mode p-channel diamond MOSFET. Using this proprietary technology as our core, we are driving the development of next-generation logic devices that achieve both high-speed operation and low power consumption—a feat impossible with conventional materials.
Specific Research Themes
Our primary focus is enhancing the carrier mobility of inversion-channel MOSFETs. This mission directly leads to the establishment of unexplored process technologies, including:
Channel Control Technology
MOS Interface Control
Low-resistance Ohmic Contact Technology
Our goal is to build a new Diamond CMOS system. This will enable stable operation in extreme environments (radiation and high temperatures) where Si devices fail, and realize "System-on-Chip" solutions that integrate both logic operations and power control on a single chip.
Future Applications and Social Impact
Phase 1: Aerospace & Extreme Environments Initially, we are targeting the aerospace sector, where extreme reliability, radiation resistance, and high-temperature tolerance are paramount.
Phase 2: High-End Computing & Infrastructure As crystal growth and mass-production processes mature, we will expand into terrestrial high-end computing.
Phase 3: Solving Global Challenges In the era of AI, Data Centers, and HPC, the surge in cooling and computing energy is a critical issue. Diamond logic semiconductors offer a radical solution for energy efficiency.
From extreme environment electronics to the information infrastructure supporting a carbon-neutral society, our group is committed to creating the "Game-Changing Technology" of the semiconductor industry.
Group Members
Professor
Norio TOKUDA
Assistant Professor
Kazuki KOBAYASHI