University of Tokyo Quantum Switch Utilizes Spintronics to Boost Semiconductor Processing Speeds 1000x while Slashing Power Use
A research team based at the University of Tokyo have developed a new quantum switching device capable of increasing semiconductor processing speeds to 1000x their current speed. This hardware published in the scientific journal Science operates with extremely little heat output. The goal of the device is to help resolve the power and thermal problems that have stalled silicon microchip development since the early 2000s and will culminate in the handover of a fully functional prototype chip utilizing this new technology by 2030.
Typical silicon transistors operate on the principal of physically pushing a flow of electricity in order to make the computer believe that the signal is a 1 or a 0. This operation produces an immense amount of thermal energy at high frequencies. In contrast, the non volatile quantum switching device operates using an electron's inherent magnetic spin as opposed to the actual physical movement of a charged particle. In basic form the switch uses 2 materials; manganese tin and tantalum. An electrical pulse sent through the tantalum allows for the change in magnetic orientation of the manganese tin. This specific magnetic orientation of the manganese tin layer is what signifies a bit of data (a 1 or a 0).
Initial laboratory tests show the device writing 1 bit of information in just 40 picoseconds, compared to current silicon memory designs which are only capable of writing 1 bit of information in a nanosecond or greater. In addition to the high speed, tests show the quantum switch can operate through well over 100,000,000,000 consecutive read write cycles before performance degradation began. Standard silicon transistors at such frequencies, or even significantly less, typically fry within 1,000,000 cycles due to heat output.
The new breakthrough occurs at a time when power consumption due to artificial intelligence networks is at an all time high. The International Energy Agency states that global data center power consumption will reach 945 terawatt hours by 2030. This is over double that in 2024 and will exceed Japan's yearly electricity usage.
According to professor Nakatsuji of the University of Tokyo "This new quantum switch means we can write and store data almost without consuming any active power."
The device also has uses in new optoelectronic fusion schemes where light can be used to carry data over copper wire. Tests involving this device showed that incoming light signals can be converted to electrical signals, and then stored as 1 bit of information within the quantum switch in 60 picoseconds. The speed of the device was shown to increase when the device itself is scaled down. At the current rate if implemented commercially the power requirements for a given computer could decrease to 1 percent of current requirements. Research teams are actively seeking semiconductor manufacturers worldwide for physical chip fabrication.
Source: nikkei
